The Dangote Group has accused powerful oil import cartels of manipulating labour unions and industry associations to frustrate the operations of its refinery, warning that their actions threaten Nigeria’s quest for economic independence.
In a statement signed by the Dangote Group management on Monday, the company criticised the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) for opposing the Dangote Refinery’s recent reduction in petrol prices.
“It is regrettable that NUPENG has allowed itself to be weaponised by powerful oil import cartels that have consistently benefitted from Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported petroleum products, to the detriment of national growth and economic independence,” the company said.
The statement came after NUPENG dismissed the refinery’s price cut as a “Greek gift,” while DAPPMAN described the move as “unpatriotic.” Dangote argued that such responses revealed the vested interests at play.
“Where is their own gift?”, the company asked. “If, as they claim, it is cheaper to import than to refine domestically, why have these same players not voluntarily reduced prices ahead of the Dangote Refinery’s interventions? Nigerians can attest that price reductions only occur in response to the refinery’s actions.”
Backstory
On Saturday, DAPPMAN accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of adopting pricing practices that distort competition, strain domestic businesses, and contradict its public claims of prioritizing Nigerian consumers.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Association’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi A. Adewole.
The statement said, “These reductions were often strategically timed when other importers had active cargoes at sea or in tank, creating price shocks that undermined competition and imposed financial strain on fellow market participants, including the refinery’s own domestic customers. “Even more concerning is the refinery’s pattern of offering lower prices to international buyers while quoting higher rates to local off takers. This contradicts public-facing claims of prioritizing Nigerians and places unnecessary burden on domestic businesses already operating under tight margins.”
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