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Dangote Refinery: PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, calls on Tinubu, stakeholders to be wary
The President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association, (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, has called on the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other stakeholders to be wary of Dangote Refinery and its fuel price regime in the coming months, with a view to avoiding cannibalization of small businesses in the oil and gas sector.
Gillis-Harry, who stated that though the current administration wants Dangote refinery to start producing on all four valves widely open and wide, expressed that there is a need to be very cautious about the development of the business.
He made the submission during an interview with, Daily Post, adding that he is proud of the development as a Nigerian, particularly with 650,000 barrels of crude oil “but I just hope that his pride will not keep me hungry without being in business.”
“Well, we want Dangote refinery to start producing on all four valves. All valves should be open and wide. However, there’s a need to be cautious about the development of the business. 650,000 barrels of crude oil and we’re very proud. As a Nigerian, I’m very proud.
“Because right now, we’re doing our little businesses from importation. We’re doing it. To my knowledge, nobody has brought substandard products except when there was a general product of PMS that came in that of course explanations were given. To my knowledge, none of my members have come to say, Oh, we bought PMS as a company and the rating is low. Of course with our 3P’s solution, we also take measures on the product.
“Believe me, I will not be able to say either yes or no but I think that such a broad-based allegation by Dangote Refinery should be backed with empirical evidence. It shouldn’t be just a one-off allegation because people are importing products. These products are going to be used like Shell and AGIP and different stakeholders in the industry that are using it to be able to further produce crude oil. So I mean, if there is a presentation like that, we should expect the houses also to come out and tell us the whole part of the story. And then of course Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN responded by saying oh, sorry, our members are not bringing it,” he maintained.
Speaking further, PETROAN President noted that it would advise Dangote Refinery to also have stakeholders’ meetings consistently to be able to review the obtainable price in the industry, and avoid being monopolistic in its dealings.
“We want a situation where Dangote will consistently work with the rules, let him refine and then let the depots distribute and let the retailers take from the depots and give to the end users, he stated.
While saying there is a need for domestic revaluation of the Oil and Gas industry, he explained that the Dangote Refinery must be able to fix prices at an affordable rate for Nigerians immediately it commences fuel supply
He said: “The reason is, now why should Dangote buy crude oil in US dollars? We are not printing US dollars in Nigeria. So even though oil is dominated as an international commodity that is predicated on the US dollar, part of the emergency decisions that I should expect to happen is that we are going to produce 2 million barrels of crude oil strictly for our domestic consumption, and we’re going to price it at the Nigerian Naira.
“Of course. That’s why sometimes I bother to ask. How did it get so bad that Dangote Refinery had to import crude oil? Because they will not have told him about the Bonny light because they’re also producing oil there. But they are importing from other countries and storing up. So we need to register the entire system and be transparently honest because for crying out loud, being the poorest man or the richest man in the world, we are all equal.”
Similarly, he touched on the deadlines and missed deadlines for the take-off of the Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri refineries, expressing that the government is doing everything possible to make them up and running.
He concluded that PETROAN is working with those who would be given refinery licenses that did not have capacity and partnership, saying they have enough retail outlets to be able to obtain from them enough partnership and guarantee for them to further raise capital to be able to do the work.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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