Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a scathing statement condemning the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for approving the import of 830,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The move, announced by NMDPRA, comes despite the presence of local refining capacity, notably the Dangote Refinery, which has been producing petrol for years. MURIC argues that the importation is unnecessary and undermines Nigeria’s self‑sufficiency.
In a statement signed by Executive Director Professor Isiaq Akintola, MURIC described the approval as “unnecessary, wasteful, counter‑productive, regressive and unpatriotic.” The statement was released to the Daily Post on Thursday.
“We expect NMDPRA and all other government agencies in the petroleum industry to cooperate with our local refineries. The importation of refined fuel should stop forthwith,” Akintola said.
“The Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has approved 830,000 tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, imports for the fourth quarter of 2026 despite ample evidence of petrol self‑sufficiency in the country with the presence of local production efficacy courtesy of Dangote Refinery. MURIC considers this move as unnecessary, wasteful, counter‑productive, regressive and unpatriotic. We therefore condemn it in the strongest terms.”
MURIC calls on NMDPRA and other petroleum agencies to prioritise local refineries and halt further imports, warning that continued foreign purchases will render domestic plants “useless.”
The statement underscores a broader debate over Nigeria’s fuel policy and the role of local refining in sustaining the country’s energy security.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
