Dangote Industries Limited has expressed disappointment over the reluctance of local marketers to purchase refined products from its newly operational refinery. Despite the significant production capacity of the refinery, only a small fraction of its output is being consumed domestically.
According to Devakumar V.G. Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries, the company has been offering competitive prices for its petroleum products, but many Nigerian traders continue to opt for imported alternatives. This decision, Edwin argues, undermines the government’s efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
“Our goal was to refine Nigerian crude oil domestically and supply the finished products to the local market,” Edwin stated in a recent social media post. “By doing so, we could not only create jobs and boost the economy but also reduce our reliance on imported petroleum products.”
The Dangote Refinery, a massive industrial project, has been hailed as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s economic development. However, the resistance from local marketers has raised concerns about the refinery’s long-term viability and its potential impact on the country’s fuel supply.