The Arewa Youth Assembly has called for a level playing field in the oil and gas industry, insisting that all rules and regulations governing the sector must be applied uniformly to all participants.
Addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, expressed concerns about efforts by vested interests to monopolize the industry, which he warned could harm the economy.
Danlami highlighted that regulatory bodies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have been in existence long before the establishment of the Aliko Dangote refinery.
He stressed that it would be selfish for Dangote to expect these bodies to bend regulations to serve his interests.
“Since before the establishment of Aliko Dangote refinery, the NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA have existed to carry out their duties as regulatory bodies. It would be very selfish for Dangote to make them bend protocols to serve his interest,” Danlami stated.
Danlami emphasized that the oil and gas sectors are heavily regulated and that Dangote must adhere to these rules.
He drew a parallel with Dangote’s own business operations, noting that the Dangote Group also has its own set of rules and regulations that all stakeholders must follow.
He expressed surprise that Dangote, as an experienced businessman, seems to have forgotten that competition is an inherent part of any business environment.
“We are calling on the National Assembly to make public the laboratory results from his refinery because information we are getting from different sources indicates that the products are substandard,” Danlami said.
He acknowledged that Dangote has operated for most of his career in industries with less stringent regulations but reminded him that the oil and energy industry has well-established rules and regulations.
“He should come down from his high horse so all parties can work in the interest of our nation unless he has an ulterior motive of trying to undermine the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Danlami added.
