Sell crude oil to Dangote in naira to reduce PMS price nationwide, NLC appeals to Nigerian govt

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has appealed to the Federal Government to make crude oil available to Dangote Refinery in naira.

This, the union, noted, would not only force down the prices of PMS but also make it available in the country in line with the promise Federal Government made following the removal of subsidies on PMS at the inception of its administration over two years ago.

Chairman of Lagos State chapter of NLC Comrade Olufunmi Sessi, made this appeal during a tour of the refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, as well as facility visit by members of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN).

Accompanied by some of her executive members, Sessi said Dangote Refinery, though still young, was already living up to expectations.

“This country has crude oil in abundance. So why is Dangote still being made to import crude or pay for it in hard currency?” the NLC queried. “If the government is truly committed to reducing fuel prices and supporting local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in naira.”

Sessi who went down memory lane, recalled how the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) suddenly surged at the wake of subsidy removal until the intervention of Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the market which is now gradually stabilising the prices.

“Sometimes ago when President Tinubu got into office, he announced subsidy removal and subsequently we saw the skyrocketing of PMS products. It was not until Dangote came on the rescue that the price of petroleum and other related products crashed. We as a union, are imploring the Federal Government, there is an abundance of crude in this country so why is Dangote (Refinery) not getting this product? Why did the company have to import from outside the country. Federal Government promised us (after deregulation of the oil and gas sector) that the prices of PMS would come down but how will that happen if Dangote keeps sourcing for crude in hard currency?

“We are appealing to Federal Government to please sell our crude to this company to refine. When you sell the crude in naira and Dangote refines, not only will the prices reduce, it will equally be available to Nigerians.”

Further NLC noted that with a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, Dangote Refinery could serve Nigeria including the entire West African sub-region. Sessi said the company is also exporting fertilisers outide Nigeria when there is a lacuna at the homefront, emphasising the need for the authorithies to maximise opportunities.

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She continued: “We are here today. We have seen the capacity that it is going to be producing 6500 barrels everyday which will be more that what the entire West Africa needs. We have also seen the capacity of Dangote in fertiliser production. We have seen how vessels line up almost endlessly to take this productout of the country. Therefore, we want to let Nigerians know that Dangote is really walking its talk. I understand that Dangote Refinery refines Euro 5, which is one of the best PMS in the world, and is now being exported overseas.”

Aside the appeal, Sessi said their missions also include to see to the welfare and unionisation of workers in the company, adding that under the Labour Law, workers also have the right to form a union in order to advance their interest.

“Our major concerns is about the welfare of the workers. We know Dangote is trying as regards giving employment opportunities to thousands of Nigerians. But we also want to ensure that workers are happy in this environment. So we continue to dialogue. Interestingly, our presence today is like an eye opener to meet and gain the loyalty of this company to allow us unionise their workers.”

Similarly, Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, appreciated both NLC and LAWAN.

Responding to NLC, Edwin assured the labour leaders of the company’s steadfast commitment to human capital development, staff welfare, and the overall wellbeing of the economy, in sync with the philosophy of Aliko Dangote Chairman of the company, whose patriotism to his fatherland is uncompromising.

Edwin stated that Dangote Refinery has introduced the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered fleet as a strategic step to cushioning logistics costs in fuel distribution which he described as a major factor in the final pump price. Further, he said the planned deployment of 4,000 powered trucks to support the distribution of refined petroleum products across Nigeria is to ensure that Nigerians who are the end users enjoy the benefits of domestic refining and the resulting reduction in fuel prices.

Aside that, the use of CNG-powered trucks is more environmentally friendly, Edwin said it will significantly reduce transportation expenses, ultimately making refined products more affordable for Nigerians.

Further, Edwin emphasised the wider influence of Dangote’s industrial ventures, particularly in provoking development and healthy rivalry across key facets of the nation’s economy. He particularly referenced the success recorded by Dangote Sugar Refinery, which he said challenged other companies to invest in sugar production.

“We’ve seen it with sugar, and we’ve seen it with cement. The success of Dangote Cement led to the emergence of players like BUA, Mangal, and the expansion of Lafarge,” he added.

Edwin said Dangote Refinery is not only helping to address Nigeria’s long-standing reliance on imported refined products but is also setting the pace for a sustainable and competitive refining industry that will benefit the broader economy.

He said generally, Dangote Group has not only become an institution but equally a fertile ground for Nigerian engineers, scientists and technicians, many of whom have gone on to work as expatriates in various countries.

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