Tensions have escalated between leading oil marketers and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as both sides compete for dominance in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
The dispute follows recent remarks by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, who revealed that his $20 billion refinery is still “struggling for survival” due to what he described as sabotage by entrenched interests and oil sector cartels opposing local refining efforts.
At a recent event, Dangote explained that this battle with powerful factions in the oil industry began even before the refinery became fully operational, and continues to this day. Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful about the refinery’s long-term prospects.
Sources suggest that Dangote’s comments were in response to the ongoing importation of petrol and the reluctance of major marketers to purchase in bulk from the refinery, despite its expanded production capacity and improved output of petroleum products.
PUNCH
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