‘They Oppose Local Fuel Refining’ – Dangote Refinery Denies Reselling Crude

Dangote Refinery has vehemently denied allegations that it is reselling crude oil purchased from Nigeria and the United States to other traders. The company’s spokesperson, Tony Chiejina, issued a statement on Saturday, describing the reports as “categorically false” and “misleading”.

Chiejina emphasized that Dangote Refinery is not authorized to resell crude oil and that its 650,000 barrels per day crude distillation unit (CDU) is fully operational and functioning optimally. He attributed the false narratives to interests opposed to the local refining of fuels, suggesting that some individuals or groups are attempting to discredit the refinery’s efforts to commence local refining.

This development comes amidst allegations by Dangote Refinery that International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria are selling crude oil to the company at inflated prices, thereby frustrating the full-scale commencement of the refinery’s operations. Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, had previously made this claim, sparking concerns about the refinery’s ability to operate efficiently.

The denial by Dangote Refinery aims to reassure stakeholders and the public that the company is committed to its mission of enhancing Nigeria’s refining capacity and reducing reliance on imported fuels. By dismissing the allegations, Dangote Refinery seeks to maintain transparency and credibility in its operations.

It remains to be seen how this development will impact the refinery’s relationships with IOCs and its ability to commence full-scale operations. Nonetheless, Dangote Refinery’s denial of the allegations is a significant step towards addressing the misconceptions and misinformation surrounding its activities.