Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has criticised businessman Aliko Dangote over the recent increase in the pump price of fuel, accusing him of “evil monopoly” and exploiting Nigerians.
In a statement on Tuesday, Adeyanju alleged that the Dangote Refinery had increased the pump price of petrol by over 100 per cent, attributing the hike to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region involving Iran.
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“Aliko Dangote has hiked the pump price of fuel by over 100 per cent, due to the war in Iran,” he said.
Adeyanju further stated that the justification for the increment was the refinery sources crude oil locally.
“Yet, the Dangote Refinery purchases crude oil domestically from Nigeria, and the President even approved that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in naira,” he stated.
He argued that the products currently being supplied were refined before the recent escalation of hostilities in the Gulf region.
“What I find even more troubling is the fact that the products currently being supplied were refined long before the recent escalation of hostilities in the Gulf region. Why then should Nigerians bear the burden of a price increase tied to events that did not affect the cost of already-refined stock?” Adeyanju asked.
The activist accused the refinery of taking advantage of near-monopoly position in the downstream petroleum sector.
“Sadly, because the refinery operates in a near-monopoly position, the government appears either unwilling or unable to call it to order,” he said.
Adeyanju added, “This amounts to unprecedented wickedness, as the Dangote Refinery appears to be profiting from the misfortune of war at the expense of already impoverished Nigerian citizens.”
There has yet to be an official response from Dangote Refinery or the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited regarding the allegations.
