Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has criticised the lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery seeking to cancel fuel import licences issued by federal government through Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Gatekeepers News reports that Dangote refinery had approached the federal high court in Lagos to challenge the import permits granted to petroleum marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The refinery argued that the licences violated an earlier court order directing parties to maintain the status quo and also breached provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which permits fuel importation only when local supply is insufficient.
Reacting to the suit, DAPPMAN said revoking the licences could destabilise Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and threaten investments made by marketers over the years.
The association maintained that import licences remain necessary to guarantee energy security and prevent fuel shortages across the country.
DAPPMAN also stated that while it respects Dangote refinery’s right to seek legal redress, the commercial interests of a private refinery should not override the regulatory responsibilities of the NMDPRA.
The marketers’ group added that it would consult lawyers and engage relevant authorities to defend what it described as a competitive and stable fuel market.
The latest legal battle comes months after Dangote refinery withdrew a similar lawsuit against the NNPC and some marketers.
Despite the refinery’s growing production capacity, regulators have insisted that imported petrol is still required to complement domestic supply and ensure nationwide availability of petroleum products.
