Dangote Petroleum Refinery don file fresh lawsuit against Federal Government of Nigeria and di downstream regulator for di kontri. Dis one na new move to challenge fuel import licences wey dem give to marketers and di state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
Last July, Dangote Refinery withdraw im N100 billion ($66 million) lawsuit against Nigeria petroleum regulator and several fuel importers, including NNPC Ltd. Di refinery argue say authorities dey continue to issue import licences for products like Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Jet A1 aviation fuel, even though local refining capacity dey.
Court documents show say di refinery dey now seek to overturn import permits wey di Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) grant or renew. Dem argue say di approvals violate earlier court order wey tell parties to maintain status quo, according to Reuters report.
Dis case mark resurgence of tensions nearly one year after di refinery withdraw similar suit wey dey seek to invalidate import licences wey dem give to NNPC and several fuel traders. Dangote Refinery argue for di new filing say di latest permits, wey dem issue dis month, dey undermine im operations and breach provisions of Nigerian law. Di law only allow imports when domestic fuel supply no reach.
Regulators and fuel marketers don consistently defend continued imports, saying dem necessary to guarantee adequate supply and prevent shortages for di kontri. Nigeria don long depend on imported petroleum products because of years of underperforming state-owned refineries.
Di $20 billion Dangote Refinery, with capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, bin expected to end dat dependence and make di kontri become net fuel supplier. But imports don persist as di refinery dey gradually ramp up production and distribution capacity.
Di renewed legal battle dey underscore broader tensions over market competition, pricing power, and control of fuel supply for one of Africa largest energy markets. Meanwhile, di company don also reject efforts by Nigerian National Petroleum Company to increase im stake for di refinery ahead of di refinery planned public listing.
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