Oil marketers in Nigeria are out to tackle Aliko Dangote, as they accused him of attempting to eliminate competition in oil sector.
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They’re defending themselves in the wake of scathing attacks from Dangote Group. The company had accused the marketers of importing substandard petroleum products into the country.
According to them, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) subjects every drop of imported oil to series of tests, starting from the port.
Again, Dangote countered this. NMDPRA has no capacity to test products, he said.
Dangote has since announced that he has enough to serve the nation, so there is no need to import oil.
In the wake of the attacks, independent oil marketers accused Dangote of attempting to create monopoly in oil economy.
Oil marketers tackle Dangote, deny importing off-spec products
Dangote Group’s attacks on oil marketers appears to aim at eroding the importers’ credibility in the eyes of the public. And they certainly don’t want that.
Addressing journalists, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, Robert Dickerman, pointed out that Dangote was lying against them.
A number of independent inspectors, NMDPRA, SON and other regulators inspect imported oil, Dickerman told reporters.
“We can’t bring in off-spec products into this country,” the MD said simply.
“I am aware that the NMDPRA conducts tests on all imported products. They took a sample from our recent import while it was still on the mother vessel at Atlas Cove, before it was transferred to Apapa.
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“At the point of discharge, another sample was taken before we were allowed to store it in our tanks. The NMDPRA has certified laboratories they rely on, and while we also have our own lab, they require their own certification before approving any product,” another major marketer said.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man, had been importing petroleum products into Nigeria like every other marketers before it constructed his Multi-billion refinery.
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