Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has made a compelling appeal to the Nigerian government to suspend imports of diesel and aviation fuel, citing the need to boost energy security and promote self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
According to Dangote, his refinery has the capacity to meet West Africa’s petrol and diesel needs, as well as the continent’s aviation fuel demand.
However, Farouk Ahmed, head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Agency, has expressed concerns that Dangote’s refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.
Ahmed emphasized that relying solely on one refinery for national supply would promote monopoly and jeopardize energy security, stating, “That is not good for the nation in terms of energy security and that is not good for markets in terms of monopoly.”
READ MORE: Nasarawara Bill For Free Menstrual Products In Public Schools Passes Second Reading
Despite these concerns, Dangote has alleged that International Oil Companies (IOCs) are making it difficult for his company to access local crude, forcing them to use middlemen and pay inflated prices. This has led to Dangote’s request for the government to suspend imports of diesel and aviation fuel.
The public has reacted strongly to Ahmed’s comments, with many calling for his removal and accusing him of trying to demarket Dangote’s refinery.
However, Dangote remains resolute in his vision to transform Africa’s energy landscape, aiming to make Africa self-sufficient in the energy sector.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Dangote’s call to action has sparked a critical conversation about Nigeria’s energy security and the need for self-sufficiency in the energy sector.
Will the government heed Dangote’s advice and suspend imports of diesel and aviation fuel? Only time will tell.
SOURCE: Bloomberg
