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By Amah
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Dangote Refinery has denied accusing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, of not providing it with crude oil.
This was contained in a statement by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.
However, the company refuted claims that it acknowledged receiving 60 percent of the 50 million barrels it lifted from the NNPC.
It clarified that Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and its enforcement of the domestic crude supply obligation as outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, is the problem.
The statement read: “For September, our requirement stands at 15 cargoes.
“NNPC has allocated six cargoes to us. Despite our appeals to NUPRC, we have been unable to secure the remaining cargoes. We have also sought assistance from International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria, but have been redirected to their international trading arms or informed that their cargoes were already committed.”
He added that the the shortfall often makes it imperative for the company to purchase Nigerian crude from international traders at an additional premium of $3-$4 per barrel, amounting to an extra $3-$4 million per cargo.
The company reiterated its position that domestic crude supply obligations must be fully enforced, and urged the NUPRC to ensure that it receives its full crude requirement locally.