From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Dangote Refinery has been commended by the Energy Reforms Advocates of Nigeria (ERAN), for slashing the price of petrol during the yuletide.
This is even as the organisation tasked the government to support the operationalisation of the Dangote and local refineries to ensure petroleum products availability and affordability.
ERAN spokesman, Daniel Clarke, in a statement on Sunday, appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to cut the supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery, a move he said would force the facility to operate below capacity and undermine its ability to meet domestic demand.
Clarke noted that the move would also lead to increased reliance on fuel imports, higher costs, and a return to the dreaded fuel queues.
According to him, the cabal in the political system, wants to frustrate the refinery’s operations and portray it as unreliable, which he said was unfair and uncharitable.
He praised the Dangote Refinery’s recent decision to lower fuel prices during the Yuletide season, describing it as a bold statement of its commitment to Nigerians.
“The recent news that NNPCL may cut crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries is a cause for alarm.
“This decision, if implemented, would be patently unjustifiable and strategically detrimental to the refinery’s operational efficacy, thereby subverting Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.”
“This move appears to be a deliberate and orchestrated attempt to undermine the Dangote Refinery, which has been operating at full capacity, through a concerted and compound action.
“It Is particularly perplexing that this decision comes on the heels of reviving dormant refineries, which had been in a state of disrepair for an extended period, and were allegedly utilized as conduits for embezzling billions of naira without any meaningful efforts to resuscitate them.
“The sudden pronouncement that these refineries will soon become fully operational, followed by the surreptitious maneuvering to drastically curtail the allocation to the Dangote Refinery, raises pernicious concerns about the motivations underlying this decision.
“Evidently, the corrupt cabal is unsettled by their inability to dictate the prices at which Dangote Refinery sells its products. By reducing crude allocation, they aim to frustrate its operations and portray it as unreliable.
“Nonetheless, it is worth noting that Dangote Refinery’s recent decision to lower fuel prices during the Yuletide season was a bold statement of its commitment to Nigerians- a strong love for the people in easing the economy burden and strain.
“This move, hailed by citizens nationwide, was perceived as an insult by the cabal who feared losing control over the narrative of fuel pricing.
“From record , it can be said that the gasoline bought from Dangote Refinery is actually cheaper and of good quality than the one they are importing, which begs the question as to why they aren’t supporting our indigenous production.
“However, It is patently clear that the opposition to Dangote Refinery’s endeavors stems from a deep-seated fear harbored by a powerful cabal, who dread being exposed for their long-standing inefficiencies and corrupt practices.
“These refineries, which would essentially function as blending plants, are being allocated crude oil supplies, while the allocation for Dangote Refinery is being deliberately reduced.
“This is one which is ostensibly designed to frustrate Dangote Refinery’s operations and enable the cabal to regain control over Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, thereby perpetuating their corrupt practices.”
Therefore, he called on the federal government “to take immediate action to prevent any reduction in crude allocation to the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries.”