Dangote Refinery has clarified that it never accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL of declining supply of crude to its oil facility.
This is even as Dangote acknowledge that it has received 60 per cent of the expected 50 million barrels it lifted from the NNPCL.
According to a statement made available to journalists on Thursday by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said, the rebuttal was necessary to clear the air, portraying the NNPCL of failing to supply crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.
The challenge, they were facing lies with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and its enforcement of the domestic crude supply obligation as outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“For September, our requirement stands at 15 cargoes,” Chiejina said.
“NNPC has allocated six cargoes to us. Despite our appeals to NUPRC, we have been unable to secure the remaining cargoes. We have also sought assistance from International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria, but have been redirected to their international trading arms or informed that their cargoes were already committed.”
Chiejina highlighted the financial impact of this shortfall, noting that the refinery is often compelled to purchase Nigerian crude from international traders at an additional premium of $3-$4 per barrel, amounting to an extra $3-$4 million per cargo.
“Dangote Refinery continues to advocate for the full enforcement of domestic crude supply obligations, urging NUPRC to ensure that the refinery receives its full crude requirement from local production sources.”
