A group of northern youths gathered in the streets of Jos, Plateau State, on Wednesday, to demand the supply of local crude to Dangote Refinery.
The Arewa Youth Congress of Nigeria (AYCN) demonstrators demonstrated at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Jos Field Office. They said that Dangote’s local crude refining will enhance the country’s economy.
The protesters carried signs with various messages, including: “Anyone opposing Dangote Refinery is an adversary of Nigeria,” “The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission should ensure that NNPC delivers the crude oil owed to Dangote Refinery and follows through with crude supply,” “NUPRC must adhere to Section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act,” and “We demand that N1.7 billion worth of feedstock be allocated to Dangote Refinery,” among others.
Naankin Sammani, the Secretary of the AYCN, who spearheaded the demonstrators, revealed that their purpose for taking to the streets was to voice their apprehension on the predicament of Nigerians caused by the decision to withhold the delivery of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.
“Our purpose is to draw the attention of the major participants in the oil industry to provide the required amount of crude oil to Dangote Refinery.” “The Dangote Refinery requires the support and endorsement of all Nigerians, particularly the NUPRC,” expressed Sammani.
The NUPRC must guarantee that the Dangote Refinery receives an adequate supply of crude oil in order to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians. We urge President Bola Tinubu to diligently pursue his instruction to provide crude oil to Dangote in the national currency.
The matter of crude supply to Dangote Refinery has become a subject of controversy. Nevertheless, the corporation has received a directive from the Federal Government to procure crude oil and make payments in the local currency, naira, rather than in dollars.