A coalition of civic organizations has called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse a recent government decision allowing petroleum imports, saying the move threatens domestic refining operations and economic independence. The Yoruba Council Worldwide led the appeal in a statement released on Sunday through its president, Aare Oladotun Hassan, joined by several advocacy groups.
The coalition emphasized that the Dangote Refinery possesses sufficient infrastructure to satisfy national fuel requirements, with current capacity at 650,000 barrels daily and expansion plans targeting 1.4 million barrels. Hassan contended that issuing licenses to import traders works against administration's goals of revitalizing domestic production. The groups proposed guaranteeing the facility access to 70 percent of crude exploration through a national allocation system.
The statement accused unidentified oil interests and labor factions of orchestrating campaigns to undermine the refinery through intimidation and false information. Hassan requested comprehensive investigations into alleged attempts by union members to disrupt operations and recommended financial audits of parties suspected of sabotaging the venture. The coalition praised Aliko Dangote for committing an additional two trillion naira toward distribution infrastructure and acquiring 10,000 tanker trucks to facilitate nationwide delivery without additional costs to distributors.
The coalition emphasized that the Dangote Refinery possesses sufficient infrastructure to satisfy national fuel requirements, with current capacity at 650,000 barrels daily and expansion plans targeting 1.4 million barrels. Hassan contended that issuing licenses to import traders works against administration's goals of revitalizing domestic production. The groups proposed guaranteeing the facility access to 70 percent of crude exploration through a national allocation system.
The statement accused unidentified oil interests and labor factions of orchestrating campaigns to undermine the refinery through intimidation and false information. Hassan requested comprehensive investigations into alleged attempts by union members to disrupt operations and recommended financial audits of parties suspected of sabotaging the venture. The coalition praised Aliko Dangote for committing an additional two trillion naira toward distribution infrastructure and acquiring 10,000 tanker trucks to facilitate nationwide delivery without additional costs to distributors.
