Sessi Funmi, a prominent figure in Lagos State, has accused oil marketers of being key contributors to Nigeria’s economic challenges, labeling them as “enemies of the masses.” In a recent interview, she criticized these marketers for manipulating fuel prices to exploit Nigerians and claimed they were hindering the government’s efforts to stabilize the oil sector.
She questioned the justification for price hikes, asserting that marketers, who buy the finished product rather than crude oil, should not be raising prices based on crude oil fluctuations. Sessi praised the Tinubu administration for revitalizing two refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri, arguing that these efforts should lead to reduced petrol prices. She claimed oil marketers were trying to sabotage this progress to maintain their monopolistic control.
Sessi called for the government to engage directly with suppliers and eliminate corrupt middlemen. She also suggested that the government follow Dangote refinery’s model of direct supply agreements to ensure fair pricing. “Marketers have been receiving subsidies without supplying products and now want to set prices without owning refineries,” she said, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
In response, Dangote Refinery refuted the blame. It clarified that it had agreed with its partners—MRS, Ardova, and Heyden—to sell petrol at N970 per litre nationwide. The refinery explained that the recent price adjustment was a result of a significant global increase in crude oil prices but noted that its price hike was much lower than the rise in global prices. The company emphasized its commitment to offering affordable fuel and absorbing increased logistics costs to maintain uniform pricing across all states.
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NGI