Oforji raised concerns that excluding independent marketers would negatively impact their businesses, forcing some to resort to fuel imports.
The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian government to ensure that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery grant independent petroleum marketers access to lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the newly operational Dangote Refinery.
Oboku Oforji, representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, sponsored the motion of urgent public importance, which urged transparency in disclosing the exact price NNPCL purchases PMS from the Dangote Refinery and how much the refinery sells to NNPCL.
Oforji highlighted the importance of the Dangote Refinery, which commenced operations on 15th September 2024 with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, and congratulated Nigerians on the achievement.
"We must commend the Dangote Group and congratulate Nigerians as this is no mean feat because our country has been battling for decades with refining our crude without success," he said.
He emphasised that independent marketers should be allowed to lift PMS, alongside NNPCL and major marketers, to foster competition and reduce prices.
"Allowing Independent Marketers, Major Marketers, along NNPCL to lift from the Dangote Refinery will lead to competition and availability of the product, hence reduction in the price of PMS," Oforji stated, adding that a monopoly by NNPCL and major marketers could lead to greed.
Oforji raised concerns that excluding independent marketers would negatively impact their businesses, forcing some to resort to fuel imports.
"The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria’s (IPMAN) representatives have expressed fears that it may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses," he noted.
The House also suggested that Dangote Refinery should build or partner to acquire tank farms across the country to ensure easier access to petroleum products.
"Dangote Refinery should build, acquire, or partner to get Tank Farms or depots across the geo-political zones in the country, to ease the accessibility of petroleum products to the people," he added.
In addition, the House directed the Nigerian government to mandate the NNPCL and Dangote Refinery to disclose pricing details for transparency.
A joint committee of the Senate and House was inaugurated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to investigate the petroleum sector’s crisis, chaired by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
Other committee members include Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina).