The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to reduce its petrol price below the current N825 per litre, citing the refinery’s access to favorable local conditions.
Speaking to The PUNCH, IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, argued that the Dangote refinery enjoys unique advantages—such as the Federal Government’s crude-for-naira policy—which should make cheaper petrol pricing possible.
Ukadike’s comment follows recent claims by Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, that Nigerians now pay only 55% of what citizens in other West African countries pay for petrol, thanks to the Lekki-based refinery.
While Ukadike acknowledged that petrol prices are lower in Nigeria compared to neighboring countries, he stressed that as a crude-producing nation, Nigerians deserve even cheaper fuel—potentially around N750 per litre.
“We produce crude oil, and the President has granted Dangote access to crude in naira. So the usual foreign exchange burden is no longer there. Nigerians should benefit from this,” Ukadike stated.
He praised Dangote for solving the long-standing problem of fuel scarcity but insisted that the refinery can do more on pricing.
“Availability is no longer the issue. What we now need is affordability,” he added, suggesting that with a stronger naira, fuel prices could further decline.
Asked whether he believed Dangote’s fuel was expensive, Ukadike replied:
“With the enabling environment and the production cost structure, petrol should not be more than N750 to N780 per litre.”
He also predicted that if the naira strengthens to around N1,100 per dollar, petrol prices could fall below N750.
34 Embassies in Abuja Risk Closure Over 11 Years of Unpaid Ground Rent
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has listed 34 embassies in Abuja as defaulters over unpaid ground rents, some dating back as far as 2014—raising the risk of property revocations or shutdowns if payments aren’t made.
According to a publication by the FCTA, the total outstanding debt from these missions is N3.66 million. Some affected embassies include those of Ghana, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Turkey, Germany, Venezuela, Korea, India, and others.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had earlier directed the revocation of 4,794 properties over long-standing unpaid rent. However, President Bola Tinubu granted a 14-day grace period—set to expire today—for all affected parties to resolve their debts.
The Director of Lands at FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, disclosed that defaulting embassies could face penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million depending on location.
Embassies React, Deny Owing
Several embassies, including those of Russia, Turkey, Germany, and Ghana, have denied owing the FCTA or claimed they were unaware of any such debt.
“We pay our rent in good faith and have documentation to prove it,” the Russian Embassy said in a statement.
A representative of the German Embassy also insisted there had been no formal notification from the FCTA.
“All official obligations were settled by the end of 2024,” they stated.
Ghana’s High Commission said it had not been officially informed and would consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while officials from Sierra Leone said they were unaware and would verify the issue.
The Turkish embassy cited a possible administrative error and promised to investigate.
FCTA: We’ll Investigate Claims
Responding to the denials, FCTA spokesperson Lere Olayinka said the administration would review and investigate all claims of wrongful listing.
“These things happen. Some payments go through online platforms like Remita, and until receipts are submitted, we may not update our records,” he said.
FIRS, PDP Resolve Rent Disputes
Among the previously listed defaulters were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). However, both have now settled their debts, according to sources within the agencies and FCTA officials.
FIRS had earlier demanded an apology after its Abuja office was sealed, denying any default. But it was later confirmed that a ground rent payment of over N2.3 million had been made, resolving the dispute.
Experts Warn Against Diplomatic Breach
Former Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, warned that enforcement actions must respect the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which considers embassy premises inviolable.
Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju also warned that applying local land rent laws to embassies may breach international diplomatic protocols and could lead to serious fallout.
“Diplomatic missions are sovereign territories. Forcefully enforcing rent rules may violate international law,” Onunaiju cautioned.
