The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the supply of crude to Dangote refinery and modular refineries in the country. The association described the establishment of the refinery as a nationalistic and patriotic endeavor and urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to support the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to end fuel scarcity and perennial queues at filling stations.
The NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, praised Aliko Dangote for his steadfastness and resilience despite opposition from fuel importers. He urged the Federal Government to create a supportive environment for the refinery, which has the potential to transform Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products and alleviate severe hardships caused by fuel scarcity.
The Vice Chairman of the Epe Branch of the NBA, Ivo Takor, noted that the refinery has the potential to resolve long-standing issues of fuel importation, create jobs, boost foreign exchange, and save the country money spent on subsidizing petroleum products. However, he emphasized the need for stringent monitoring to ensure compliance with the presidential directive and sanctions for those who withhold crude from the refinery.
The Dangote refinery was established primarily to source and refine local crudes for Nigeria’s benefit while exporting excess production to boost the economy. Despite the lack of sufficient Nigerian crude supplies, the refinery has been forced to import crude from other countries and continents while exporting refined petroleum products abroad.