Stop importing fuel, Dangote tells NNPC, marketers

Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd to stop importing fuel.

Dangote said his refinery in Lagos has about 500 million litres of fuel in its tanks which can meet local demand for about 12 days if production stops.

“With enough supply of crude, we can actually produce much more than 30 million litres every day,” he said while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to review the sale of crude in naira to local refiners at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

“At full capacity, we can even supply whatever is being consumed, which I believe may be about 30.32 million litres per day.

“So, it is not really an issue, because, as we speak today, we have 500 million litres in our tanks. Even if there’s no production from any refinery or imports. This will take the country more than 12 days.

“I assured Mr President we will be able to supply the market minimum of 30 million litres per day, and we’ll be ramping up as we go on. So, we’re ready. We’re more than ready,” said Dangote.

On scarcity of petrol, he said he was not responsible for making the product available at petrol stations.

“One thing you have to understand is that we are producers. I have a refinery. I’m not in the business of retail,” the businessman said.

“If I’m in the business of retail then you hold me responsible. But what I’m saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick, if they don’t come forward and pick, what do you want me to do?”

“So, I expect NNPC and the marketers to stop importing, they should come and pick because we have what they need. And you know, as they remove, I will be pumping,” he added.