The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has accused some players in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector of trying to frustrate its plan to use compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks to distribute fuel across the country.
On September 11, the refinery announced it would begin free nationwide supply of petrol from September 15. But the move was quickly criticised by industry groups.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) dismissed the plan, calling it a “Greek gift.”
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) also said the claim of free delivery was misleading, arguing that marketers were required to load at least 25 percent of their fuel directly from the refinery.
In response, Dangote refinery took out an advertorial in BusinessDay, where it accused its critics of attempting to block progress in the sector.
“These are not honest concerns,” the refinery said. “They are part of a deliberate campaign of economic sabotage by vested interests who see our innovations as a threat to their control of the industry.”
The refinery insisted that its plan to deploy CNG-powered trucks would reduce reliance on diesel and help Nigeria move closer to energy self-sufficiency.
It also rejected DAPPMAN’s claims on product quality and pointed to a past scandal.
The refinery recalled that in January 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) reported that one of DAPPMAN’s members supplied petrol with more than 15 percent methanol, which caused serious damage to thousands of car engines.
“Yet, no transparent government inquiry or independent investigation was ever conducted to determine the source or full impact of the adulterated fuel,” the refinery added.
