Following a recent dialogue between the Steering Committee overseeing the Domestic Crude Oil and Refined Products Sales in Local Currency Initiative and Dangote Refinery, the Nigerian government has guaranteed an uninterrupted flow of refined petroleum products nationwide.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the meeting was convened under the leadership of Finance Minister Wale Edun. The primary focus was to address issues raised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) concerning operations at the refinery.
“The Steering Committee convened today to evaluate the latest developments within the downstream oil sector,” the statement explained. “Chaired by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the committee discussed two key matters: the alleged suspension of the Naira-for-crude oil arrangement by Dangote Refinery, which has since been amicably resolved, and the grievances presented by PENGASSAN regarding the refinery’s activities.”
The meeting included notable attendees such as Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and head of the Technical Committee; alongside representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd., Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Afreximbank, and Dangote Refinery officials.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the supply of refined petroleum products remains stable and uninterrupted throughout Nigeria. It emphasized that all pending disputes between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery are being handled promptly and with sincere intent.
“To clarify, the committee confirmed that the crude oil-for-Naira initiative will persist without interruption,” the statement added. “Furthermore, all outstanding concerns, especially the conflict between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery, are being addressed with urgency and good faith.”
The federal government reiterated its dedication to safeguarding energy security, protecting consumer interests, and maintaining equilibrium within the domestic petroleum market.
Earlier reports from PREMIUM TIMES highlighted that PENGASSAN had instructed its members to disrupt refinery operations by obstructing gas supplies. This directive was a reaction to the refinery management’s dismissal of certain unionized workers. PENGASSAN also accused Dangote Refinery of disseminating false information to justify these terminations.
In response, Dangote Refinery condemned the union’s directive as unlawful, urging PENGASSAN to comply with Nigerian laws. The refinery stressed that the union lacks the legal authority to interfere with contracts involving third-party suppliers of gas and crude oil.
Dangote Refinery appealed to the federal government and security agencies to intervene and restrain PENGASSAN’s actions, warning that such disruptions could severely damage Nigeria’s economy and adversely affect its citizens.
On Saturday, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) called on PENGASSAN to rescind its order to halt gas and crude oil deliveries to the refinery, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted operations for national stability.
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