Dangote Petroleum Refinery has called on Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited to avoid using deregulation as an excuse to import and blend substandard petroleum products, emphasizing that national interests and public safety must remain a priority.
The statement came in response to comments by Pinnacle’s CEO, Robert Dickerman, who had framed the importation of petroleum products as a deregulated market practice.
In a strong rebuke, Dangote condemned any attempt to compromise the quality of petroleum products, noting that deregulation should foster sustainable growth, not exploitation. The refinery underscored that its support for deregulation is grounded in economic growth and protection of Nigerian consumers, rejecting any “devious” efforts to mix imported products with Dangote’s own high-quality outputs for profit.
Dangote highlighted similar protectionist measures in the United States, like tariffs on imported goods to protect domestic industries, arguing that Dickerman’s stance contradicts best practices he should be familiar with in his home country.
Moreover, the company voiced concern over Pinnacle’s leasing of tank farms to firms without local retail networks, questioning the intent of such arrangements near the Dangote Refinery.
The company urged patriotic Nigerians and local businesses to resist moves that undermine Nigeria’s energy independence, citing a historical struggle against reliance on imports. Dangote renewed its commitment to self-sufficiency, welcoming fair competition while rejecting any compromises to Nigeria’s sovereignty or safety.
