A group of northern energy experts, Arewa Youths Initiative for Energy Reforms (AYIFER), has commended Dangote Refinery for lowering petroleum product prices across the country.
This was even as the group called on the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, to urgently fulfil his promise by making the Kaduna Refinery operational.
The group views the recent reduction in fuel prices by the Dangote Refinery as the best way to serve God and humanity when families suffer excruciating pain from the cost of living, compounded by the high prices of essential commodities during Ramadan fasting.
This was contained in a statement signed yesterday by Alhaji Bashir Al’Amin, national coordinator, and Engr. Gideon Yakubu, general secretary, and made available to newsmen.
The energy group, mainly of northern interest, expressed great happiness over the reduction in petroleum prices, saying people need not scratch their bodies or join long queues during Ramadan to buy fuel.
“This is the best way to serve God and humanity. Dangote refinery has shown the religious leaders in Nigeria, both Christians and Muslims, that they’re for all, regardless of what.
“They did it during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Dangote announced its partnership with MRS and other off-takers during the yuletide.
And for once in a while, we saw that Nigerians celebrated the Christmas and New Year festivals at ease, unlike what we used to see.
“The same Dangote has done it again during the Ramadan. This is the man who meant well for Nigeria. Despite all the fights he received from NNPCL, NMDPRA, other regulatory agencies and the Oil cabals, he never gave up.
“We remember vividly how they fought hard to stop him. We also remember that he was pushing ahead, and Almighty Allah gave him victory over them. Now, see what is happening. If not for Dangote, who came to break the monopoly of NNPCL, we would have been buying fuel at N2,000 per litre today. If not for Dangote, who challenged the system, the long-abandoned Port Harcourt and Warri refinery would still be moribund.
“Now, corruption is reduced greatly around that space. Those that specialise in importing adulterated and fake fuel are closing their shops. Those who dare to continue in the business of importation are now losing N75bn every month. Bad market for them!
“Nigerians can’t thank Dangote enough. But we call on all Muslims to pray for Dangote oil during this period of Ramadan so that the hands of the enemies will not overpower him. We read somewhere last week that they’re planning another sabotage by denying him crude information. With our collective prayers, both Christians and Muslims, God will stop their plans.
“We want to also use this opportunity to call on the NNPCL to, as a matter of necessity, make the Kaduna refinery functional. That is the only surviving legacy for us in the north right now”, the statement added.
Recall that, in a public notice on the price slash on Wednesday, 26th February 2024, Dangote announced that the retail prices at filling stations owned by its three official off-takers – MRS, Ardova (AP), and Heyden will be selling N860, N865, and N865 per litre, respectively.
According to the statement, the company said the price adjustment was designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season.
