Dangote Refinery has moved swiftly to debunk rumors of filing a fresh lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other entities involved in the importation of refined petroleum products.
According to Anthony Chiejina, Chief Branding and Communication Officer of Dangote Group, the issue at hand is an old one that began in June and culminated in a matter filed on September 6, 2024.
The rumor mill had been churning out claims that Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals had asked the Federal High Court Abuja to void import licenses issued to the NNPC, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and four other companies for importing refined petroleum products already being produced locally.
However, Chiejina clarified that the parties involved are currently in discussion following President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Crude Oil and Refined products sales in Naira Initiative, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“We have made tremendous progress in that regard, and events have overtaken this development,” he stated.
In a reassuring tone, Chiejina emphasized that no party has been served with court processes, and there is no intention of doing so.
The parties have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings, and no orders have been made, resulting in no adverse effects on any party.
To put the matter to rest, Chiejina concluded that once the case comes up in January 2025, Dangote Refinery would be in a position to formally withdraw the matter in court.
This development is seen as a welcome relief, especially considering the federal government’s decision to support Dangote Refinery, including allocating 400,000 barrels of crude daily as part of the naira-for-crude deal
Comment here