The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has claimed that it is buying petrol from the Dangote Refinery at N898 per litre, signaling the start of operations at Africa’s largest oil refinery.
The first batch of petrol loading commenced on Sunday, with NNPCL trucks seen at the refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
This move follows a recent announcement by the Presidential Committee on the Sale of Crude Oil and Refined Products, outlining agreements for crude oil supply and refined product distribution in Naira.
The trucks, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, were seen in videos posted on the X handle of the Dangote Group.
“First set of trucks set for loading of PMS at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery,” the post read.
On Saturday, the NNPCL stated that hundreds of trucks would be deployed to the refinery today (Sunday) for PMS loading.
The NNPC stated, “In preparation for the Dangote Refinery’s scheduled petrol loading on Sunday, 15th September 2024, NNPC Ltd has been mobilising trucks to the refinery’s fuel loading gantry in Ibeju-Lekki. As of Saturday afternoon, NNPC Ltd had deployed over 100 trucks, with hundreds more en route.”
He said, “We successfully loaded PMS at the Dangote Refinery today.
“The claim that we purchased it at N760 per litre is incorrect.
“For this initial loading, the price from the refinery was N898 per litre.”
This comes two days after the Presidential Committee on the Sale of crude oil and Refined Product announced that loading of the first batch of petrol from the Dangote Refinery will commence on September 15.
A member of the committee and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday.
Briefing journalists, the FIRS boss said that from October 1, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will commence the supply of about 385kbpd of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery to be paid for in Naira.
“I am glad to announce that all agreements have been completed and loading of the first batch of PMS from the Dangote Refinery will commence on Sunday 15th September,” Adedeji stated.
He explained that Dangote Refinery will in return supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid for in Naira.
Other deliberations reached by the committee include the sale of Diesel in Naira by the Dangote Refinery to any interested off-taker while PMS will only be sold to NNPC.
“From 1 October, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery to be paid for in Naira.
“In return, the Dangote Refinery will supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid for in Naira.
“Diesel will be sold in Naira by the Dangote Refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC, NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now. All associated regulatory costs will also be paid for in Naira.”