PETROAN Urges NNPCL to Restart Govt Refineries Amid Dangote Dollar Pricing
PETROAN has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to resume operations at the government-owned Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries to stabilise fuel prices, promote competition and strengthen energy security. The association, represented by National PR Officer Dr. Joseph Obele and President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, said the move would create a price-check mechanism and reduce dependence on a single supplier in the downstream market.
PETROAN highlighted concerns after Dangote Petroleum Refinery shifted from naira to dollar pricing for petrol, diesel and jet fuel, fixing petrol at $0.779 per litre. At the official exchange rate of ₦1,380.50 to the US dollar, this equals roughly ₦1,075.61 per litre, with future prices fluctuating with forex movements. The association warned that marketers earning in naira may now need to source foreign exchange to buy petroleum, increasing operational costs and pressure on retail prices.
While supporting deregulated market principles, PETROAN argued that recent developments show the urgent need for multiple operational refineries to protect consumers. It urged NNPCL Group CEO Bayo Ojulari to direct temporary production at the refineries while discussions with two Chinese technical partners continue, noting the facilities were operational before being shut down in May 2025.
The association also called on the Federal Government to accelerate rehabilitation of the refineries, ensure adequate crude oil supply, sustain policies encouraging competition and investment, and create an enabling environment for additional modular and conventional refineries nationwide.