Between Kyari’s Fuel Importation Figures and the rest of us

By Bala Kuta

 

There seems to be more than meets the eye regarding what is happening in the country’s petroleum sector. Recently we have witnessed the drama between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery. From the foregoing, all is not well and Nigerians are bearing the brunt of the unending imbroglio. Either way, Nigeria and Nigerians are the ultimate losers, unless we get our priorities right by clearly defining what we want and whether we want to make progress as a country.

 

I will start the piece in a high pitch. I have a feeling that the NNPCL is playing games with Nigerians. I say this because of a statistic I stumbled upon recently about the importation of premium motor spirit (PMS) into the country. I was shocked, to say the least. I tried to make sense of the figures, but they didn’t add up and my emotions went riot. I was so dumbfounded, to say the least. What is the motive behind the dishonesty I asked myself? Why is the NNPCL not coming clean on the issues in the petroleum industry in the country?

 

The implications of this deception are far-reaching, with the potential to undermine the nation’s economic stability. It is unacceptable that the NNPCL, an institution entrusted with managing the country’s petroleum resources, would engage in such opaque practices. Nigerians have a right to know the truth about the petroleum industry, and it is the responsibility of the NNPCL to provide accurate and timely information. The continued lack of transparency can only erode trust and exacerbate the challenges facing the sector.

 

It is curious that even with the presence of the Dangote refinery, a slew of petroleum shipments is set to arrive in the country, with BP-LR2 vessels bringing in 90kt each on February 16-18 and 20-21, respectively. Additionally, VITOL-MR vessels, Hafnia Hawk and Rui Fu Sheng are expected to arrive on February 6-7 and 2-3, carrying 37kt each. MATRIX-LR2’s MT CAPTAIN JOHN, carrying 90kt, is also scheduled to arrive on February 15-16. These shipments, totalling around 1 million tons, include 180kt supplied by Matrix/GTT to NNPC under Project Yield, as well as 500kt booked by other marketers, all arriving in February.

 

The sheer volume of these imports raises questions about the country’s petroleum needs and the management of its oil resources. With the NNPC and other marketers bringing in such large quantities, one wonders if the country’s refineries are functioning optimally, or if there are other factors at play. The lack of transparency in the petroleum sector only adds to the uncertainty, leaving Nigerians to ponder the implications of these massive imports on the country’s economy and energy security.

 

The Dangote Refinery’s stance on fuel importation is clear: with its 650,000 barrels per day capacity, the refinery is designed to meet Nigeria’s local fuel consumption needs, effectively ending the country’s reliance on imported fuel.

 

This would not only save the nation billions of dollars in foreign exchange but also create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce the pressure on the naira. However, despite these obvious benefits, the NNPCL remains hell-bent on importing fuel, raising fundamental questions about the corporation’s priorities and motivations. Is the NNPC prioritizing the interests of fuel importers over those of the Nigerian people? What are the underlying reasons for the NNPCL’s reluctance to support local refining capacity? And what are the implications of this stance for the country’s economic future?

 

The economics of fuel importation versus local refining is a contentious issue. Paradoxically, imported fuel appears to be cheaper than locally refined fuel, largely due to the country’s dysfunctional refining system and the subsidies paid on imported fuel. This anomaly has led to a situation where Nigeria, a major oil-producing nation, is unable to refine enough fuel to meet its domestic needs, instead relying on expensive imports. The Dangote Refinery, with its 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, is expected to change this narrative, but the NNPCL’s continued reliance on fuel imports raises questions about the corporation’s commitment to supporting local refining capacity.

 

The sheer volume of imported PMS expected in February raises more questions than answers. With over 1 million tons of fuel set to arrive, Nigerians are right to wonder what the NNPCL is not telling them. Is the corporation aware of a looming fuel crisis that necessitates such massive imports? By prioritizing imports over local refining, the NNPCL may be perpetuating a system that enriches a select few at the expense of the Nigerian people. This raises questions about the NNPC’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and whether the corporation is truly serving the nation’s interests or just those of a privileged elite.

 

The NNPC’s stance on fuel importation is suspect, bordering on the absurd. Their claims are akin to “tales by moonlight,” leaving one to wonder what’s really at play. Just recently, the NNPC announced that its refineries had commenced operations. If this is indeed true, then why the massive importation of fuel? The Port Harcourt Refinery, for instance, has a refining capacity of 210,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery, with its 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, is poised to meet the country’s local fuel consumption needs. With these refining capacities, one would expect a significant reduction in fuel imports, not an increase. This contradiction raises more questions than answers, further eroding trust in the NNPC’s narrative.

 

The NNPCL’s continued fuel importation spree is a dangerous game that threatens to further destabilize Nigeria’s economy. By prioritizing imports over local refining, the corporation is not only haemorrhaging scarce foreign exchange but also undermining the country’s energy security. The Nigerian people deserve better than this shortsighted approach, which benefits only a select few at the expense of the nation’s long-term interests. As the NNPCL continues down this perilous path, one cannot help but wonder what the ultimate cost will be for the country’s economic future.

Kuta wrote this piece from Bosso, Niger State.