Again, FG makes public promise, says sales of crude oil to Dangote in Naira starts October 1
By KEMI KASUMU
The sales of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in local currency will commence on October 1, 2024, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun
Edun made this announcement during a meeting with the Implementation Committee on Monday in Abuja.
It is yet another public promise by this administration after the many in recent times. It had told Nigerians that the completed and celebrated Port Harcourt Refinery would commence production in December 2023, changed to after Christmas holiday, changed to new year until the story became “No crude to be sold because Buhari had swapped Nigerian crude for loan”, a supporter-based public statement considered by many as propaganda.
The Finance Ministry in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, said the meeting was to review progress of the transition to crude oil sales in naira.
The post stated that key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the African Export-Import Bank to ensure smooth implementation.
“The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, today led the Implementation Committee meeting on the transition to Crude Oil Sales in Naira.
“The meeting reviewed progress on key initiatives, including the upcoming commencement of Naira payments for crude oil sales to the Dangote Refinery starting October 1, 2024,” the post read in part.
It added that the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, reported that “the first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.”
The Minister was said to have emphasized the need for transparency and directed the Technical Sub-Committee to finalize details and prepare a report for the President, confirming that his directives are on track for implementation from September.
On the Port Harcourt and Dangote Refineries Finance ministry said significant production increases are expected from November 2024.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 29 directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in naira and not in the United States greenback.
The Federal Government said the measure would reduce the strain on the country’s foreign spending and stabilise the pump price of petrol, diesel and other products in Nigeria.
