MUSLIM RIGHTS
CONCERN (MURIC)
هيئة حقوق المسلمين
Motto: Dialogue,
Not Violence
14th March, 2026
PRESS RELEASE:
NMDPRA SPEAKING TONGUE IN CHEEK - MURIC
A human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has
accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority
(NMDPRA) of insincerity.
The organization alleged that NMDPRA continues to issue import
licences despite assurances to the contrary. It argued that such a policy will
retard the growth of local refineries. It also described the practice as
unpatriotic and self-seeking.
MURIC's criticism was articulated in a statement issued on
Saturday, 14th March, 2026 by the Executive Director of the
organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads:
"Contrary to the position held by our organization two days
ago (https://punchng-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/punchng.com/muric-seeks-100-crude-supply-to-dangote-refinery/),
the true picture emerging from the Nigerian petroleum architecture indicates
that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority
(NMDPRA) is still issuing import licences despite assurances to the contrary.
"We frown upon such a policy. It is dishonest. It is calculated to
mislead the public. But most importantly, it is capable of retarding the growth
of local refineries with the attendant backlash on the citizenry in terms of
petrol scarcity, high cost of fuel, fall in the value of naira as well as galloping
inflation.
"Whereas NMDPRA gave Nigerians the impression that it had
put an end to the importation of PMS (https://www.thecable.ng/nmdpra-suspends-issuance-of-petrol-import-licences-says-local-production-meets-domestic-demand/),
it has been revealed that at least six companies are still importing Premium
Motor Spirit (PMS) as we speak (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/03/12/dangote-nmdpra-still-issuing-fuel-import-licences-despite-to-the-contrary/).
"This revelation negates the principles of transparency, probity
and accountability. Nigerians should not be denied the right to know what is
happening to their common patrimony. This action is also capable of affecting
the ease of doing petroleum business for local refineries. The overall effect
also cascades down to the consumers and tax payers because as a common
denominator, the prices of goods are bound to skyrocket when the price of
petrol rises.
"It is an open secret that as at January 2026, Dangote Refinery
has the capacity to supply 75 million litres of petrol, 25 million litres of
diesel, and 20 million litres of jet fuel daily.
"Now, NMDPRA confirmed last month (February 2026) that
Nigeria's daily petrol consumption is only 56.9 million litres per day (https://businessday-ng.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/businessday.ng/energy/article/nigerias-petrol-consumption-falls-to-56-9m-litres-day-in-february-nmdpra/),
what, then, is the rationale for seeking additional importation of fuel?
"These 'special importers' constitute an existential drain
on Nigeria's scarce foreign exchange. Or are they paying in naira abroad? We
seriously doubt this. What kind of injurious favouritism is this? We may not
all be economists but Nigerians are not nincompoops.
"Imagine the great economic value Dangote Refinery has
proved since inception. Our local currency started climbing up soon after Dangote
Refinery began operation. The refinery has been exporting petroleum products to
both Western and African countries and this explains the inflow of hard
currency.
“Subsequently, naira came out of the intensive care unit and inflation
began to drop. Inflation fell from 15.10% in January 2026, to 13.47% in
February 2026. This was in the same Nigeria whose inflation rate was 34.6% in November
2024. Things began to change drastically as soon as the Dangote Refinery began
to export oil and the importation of fuel reduced immensely.
“If honour must be given to whom it is due, then Dangote Refinery
in particular and the rest of Nigerian refineries in general should be treated
like the geese that lay the golden eggs. They should be given priority in the
allocation of crude oil in line with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 which stipulates
that import licences should only be issued to bridge gaps between domestic refining
capacity and national demand.
“How can NMDPRA ignore this reality to pursue a phantom, a gamble,
by permitting the importation of more petrol? And why should NMDPRA deceive
Nigerians by telling us that it had stopped importation of fuel when it has not?
Why speak tongue in cheek? Who did this to Nigeria?
#NMDPRA
#Transparency
Professor Ishaq
Akintola,
Founder/Executive
Director,
Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC).
