Nigeria Sees Surge in Fuel Imports Amid Calls to End Re-importation
A recent review of import data reveals a significant increase in the shipment of petroleum products into Nigeria, with 1.947 million metric tonnes offloaded at various terminals between October 1 and November 11. This volume consisted of premium motor spirit, automotive gas oil, and aviation fuel.
The breakdown of the imports is as follows:
– Premium motor spirit (PMS): 1.52 million MT (approximately 2.02 billion litres)
– Automotive gas oil (AGO): 414,018 MT (approximately 487.1 million litres)
– Aviation fuel (Jet-A1): 13,500 MT (approximately 16.46 million litres)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company accounted for 40.5 percent of the total imports, with 789,721 MT (approximately 1.05 billion litres) of petroleum products entering the country.
This surge in imports has sparked controversy, with the Dangote Refinery calling for an end to fuel re-importation. The refinery, which had over 500 million litres of petrol in stock as of October 29, expressed frustration at its inability to sell due to ongoing imports.
“I am expecting the NNPC or marketers to stop importing. We have what they need,” Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, stated during a press briefing.
In response to the refinery’s request, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria criticized the refinery’s pricing structure, claiming that its petrol is more expensive than petrol from other sources. They vowed to continue importing and selling at a lower price than both the refinery and NNPC.
The Dangote Refinery, however, accused marketers of importing substandard fuel, stating that its pricing reflects the quality of its products.
