The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has told Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited and other oil marketers that the deregulation of the downstream oil sector should not be used as a justification to import off-spec petroleum products or the undermining of Nigeria’s national interests.

The refinery said this on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, while responding to remarks by Robert Dickerman, the CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, about the importation and blending of petroleum products, which the Pinnacle boss described as a “deregulated commodity market.”

On Sunday Dangote refinery tackled the firm for setting up a blending plant around its facility in Lagos, with the intention of selling substandard petroleum products to Nigerians.

Although Mr. Dickerman, debunked the claim, the Dangote refinery stated that his argument for a deregulated market could not obscure the serious implications of his actions which, it claimed, threatened the integrity of Nigeria’s energy sector and endangered the welfare of its citizens.

While reiterating its support for deregulation and industrialisation, Dangote emphasised that this support is grounded in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from exploitation.

The refinery affirmed that the health and safety of Nigerians should never be compromised in the pursuit of profit.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company has long been an advocate for deregulation and industrialisation in Nigeria, but our support is rooted in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from any exploitation.

“Unlike Dickerman’s view, deregulation should not be a licence for the importation and distribution of off-spec products or the subversion of national interests.”

The company continued that as an American, Dickerman should be well aware of how his own country protects its industries.