FG Claims It Is Unaware Dangote Imports Crude Despite Country’s Rich Resources

The Federal Government has said it is unaware of Dangote Refineries importing crude oil from the United States. This revelation came from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during Thursday’s Ministerial Sectoral Updates in Abuja.

The event was part of the activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.

Speaking at the briefing, attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Lokpobiri emphasised Nigeria’s sufficient crude oil reserves.

The country is blessed with enough crude to supply all the refineries in the country, including the modular ones, he asserted.

When questioned about the reports of Dangote Refinery importing crude from the US, Lokpobiri expressed his surprise.

I’m unaware that Dangote Refinery has started importing crude oil from the US. That’s the reason why we’re talking about an increase in production. That’s why we’re asking servicing companies to return and start drilling. The only way we can increase production is to continue drilling, he stated.

The minister also addressed the news surrounding the continuation of fuel subsidies under the current administration. Since President Tinubu’s inauguration, there has been speculation regarding the status of these subsidies.

Lokpobiri clarified, “On the issue of subsidy, all of us know that from the first day the President took over office, he said subsidy is gone. And I can confirm to you today that the subsidy is gone.”

However, he acknowledged the need for governmental support to alleviate citizen hardships. “All over the world, governments find a way to subsidise.

It may not be fuel, but it may be food. There’s no responsible government that will not find a way to alleviate the suffering of its citizens. But please, I want it to be official that there’s no subsidy for fuel as of today,” he concluded.

However, one of the foremost proponents of the news that subsidy is being paid on fuel is Nasir el-Rufai, ex-governor of Kaduna state, and a (screened out) nominee for ministerial appointment, with the insistent that the federal government was still spending on petrol subsidies and even more than past administrations.

The Ministerial Sectoral Updates session also included insights from other ministers such as Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Bio, Minister of Youth Development, and Dr. Mariya Mahmud, Minister of State for FCT.

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