Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has assured of steady supply of premium motor spirit (petrol) and automotive gas oil (diesel) in the country.

Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, who gave the assurance at the weekend in Lagos said the refinery whose daily production capacity exceeds the domestic demand stated that its operations are driven by the dedication to supporting national energy stability and consumer confidence.

“Our refinery is currently loading over 45 million litres of PMS and 25 million litres of diesel daily, which exceeds Nigeria’s demand”, Chiejina said, adding that “we are working collaboratively with regulatory agencies and distribution partners to guarantee efficient nationwide delivery”.

He assured that “Dangote remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the energy needs of Nigerians”, explaining that the refinery’s significant production capacity not only guarantees local supply but also enhances energy security and reduces dependence on imports.

Dwelling on the significance of the refinery, Chiejina said that the improved local production of petroleum products has helped to strengthen the naira and stabilize its exchange rate.

He stated that: “We have reduced foreign exchange outflows and increased inflows, which in turn supports the naira and strengthens the economy”. He argued  that it would be unpatriotic for anyone to criticize the recently announced tariff, which he said is a good start, emphasizing that the tariff is designed to protect domestic industries from unfair competition and safeguard local production.

Chiejina said that the tariff would discourage dumping, pointing out that dumping engenders poverty, discourages industrialization, creates unemployment and leads to revenue loss for the government.

He stated that “across the world, nations protect their manufacturers and industries from the threat of dumping”, pointing out that “dumping destroyed our textile industry, which was once a major employer of labour and creator of wealth”.

Beyond the tariff, he urged government to strengthen its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the dumping of substandard and toxic petroleum products by unscrupulous and rent-seeking individuals who prioritise profiteering at the expense of Nigerians, often undermining well-intentioned government policies for their selfish interests. He added that the prevalence of dumping in past years discouraged investors from establishing industries in Nigeria, as imported products flooded the markets, undermining local production, arguing that the new tariff would benefit local refiners and encourage fresh investments in the downstream oil sector, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and creating more jobs.

Chiejina commended the foresight of President Bola Tinubu for approving the tariff policy aimed at strengthening and transforming Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector, noting that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to creating a stable, business-friendly environment that supports local investments and enhances energy security. He urged rent seekers to reconsider their business practices and align with the Federal Government’s vision for a self-sustaining energy sector rather than promoting the dumping of petroleum products. He emphasized the need for a collective sense of patriotism and responsibility among industry stakeholders, noting that national progress can only be achieved through shared commitment to policies that strengthen local industries and protect the economy.

Recently, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, had assured Nigerians that price of petrol will not be hiked during the Yuletide despite recent global price increases.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining uninterrupted supply of petrol throughout the festive period. Nigerians can look forward to a Christmas and New Year free of fuel anxiety”, Dangote said.