The House of Representatives Thursday, urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to lift fuel from the newly established refinery.

The resolution was reached after a motion sponsored by Oboku Oforji, representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, during plenary in Abuja.

Oforji expressed concerns that only major marketers have access to lift products from the refinery, thus creating a monopoly equivalent to greed. Independent marketers may resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.

The House commended Dangote Group for commencing petroleum refining, a step towards Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency, adding that the achievements could drive cost and foreign exchange savings, meet fuel demand, attract foreign investment, and increase Nigeria’s GDP.

Leading the debate, Oforji noted that even though the Dangote Petroleum Refinery began operation in its 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery on September 15, 2024, only major marketers have been given access to lift products from the refinery by the NNPCL.

He said, “The House is worried that NNPCL and the major marketers as exclusive off-takers, spell monopoly which is equivalent to greed. This is the same NNPCL that has failed to manage our crude and refineries for decades.

“If this monopoly is not nipped in the bud, the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the scarcity of PMS will continue and we all know the implications on the economy.

“No wonder the late MKO Abiola of blessed memory, in a viral video, some years ago, lamented that the NNPCL lacks transparency and accountability.“The House is disturbed that allowing the NNPCL and major marketers to lift Premium Motor Spirit from the refinery to the exclusion of independent marketers, is not good enough.”

According to him, “IPMAN representatives have expressed fears that it may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.”

The lawmaker commended the parent company, Dangote Group for the commencement of petroleum refining, adding that with the feat, the journey to Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency may have begun.

“The House notes that by this feat, Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels and attracting foreign capital investment. The generation of forex through the export of finished products, conservation of foreign exchange and huge value addition will contribute to an increase in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

“The House further note that given the high demand by millions of Nigerians for PMS, and the ordeal they go through to get it, NNPCL should allow independent marketers to lift the product from the Dangote refinery,” he added.

If the prevailing monopoly is not nipped in the bud, Oforji noted that the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the scarcity of PMS will continue with disastrous consequences for the and we all know the implication economy,” he noted.

In the bid to address the concerns, the House urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner with stakeholders to get Tank Farms or depots across the geo-political zones in the country, to enhance petroleum availability to the people.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has inaugurated a panel chaired by House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere to serve in a joint committee of the Senate to investigate the crisis bedeviling the petroleum sector and proffer recommendations on the way forward.

Other members of the committee are Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) among others.