FG warned against importation of refined petroleum products

The Federal Government has been warned against importing refined petroleum products when local refineries can fill the gap.

Giving the warning, a former General Manager of Corporate Planning and Business Development, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Babajide Soyode, said that importation of such products should not be allowed to disrupt the local refineries.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Lagos, Soyede urged that regulator like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) must ensure that Nigerians get cheaper products and prevent marketers from importing if the local production is sufficient to prevent killing of local refineries.

Also, he urged that local refiners should  agree to a fair pricing regime, while marketers must buy from them in ensuring a balanced market.

His advice followed the continous issuance of import licence to marketers by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to bring in product, citing supply shortfall.

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Soyede’s position is that Dangote Refinery and other refiners  with their specifications can conviniently meet Nigeria’s fuel consumption if given the right offer.

“Importing refined products should never be allowed to disrupt local refineries. For this reason local refiners must agree to a fair pricing regime, while marketers must buy from local refiners in ensuring a balanced market,” he said.

Soyede raised query concerning the specifications of imported PMS, saying this implied a lack of transparency and standards, calling both the NMDPRA and  Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to enforce the right specifications.

He suggested that…