The federal government has debunked reports claiming that local refineries have been forced to rely on international crude purchases over the discontinuation of the naira-based crude oil supply arrangements.
Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman, Technical sub-committee on the implementation of the policy, in a statement on Monday, said the “reports do not reflect the realities of the ongoing work under the Federal Executive Council Initiative on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil and Refined Products in Naira.”
According to him, the Naira-based domestic sales framework remains in place.
“As the committee driving the implementation of this initiative, we wish to provide an update on the Federal Executive Council initiative and confirm as follows:
The policy framework enabling the sale of crude oil in naira for domestic refining remains in force. The initiative was designed to ensure supply stability and optimize the utilisation of local refining capacity. There has been no decision at the policy level to discontinue this approach nor is it being considered. After implementing the policy for some months, evidence abounds that it is the right way to go and it will continue to help the economy.
“Local Refineries Have Not Been Excluded from Domestic Crude Supply
The engagement process for crude oil supply to domestic refineries therefore remains in place by structured agreements, balancing factors such as availability, demand, and market conditions. There is no exclusion of local refineries from access to domestic crude. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is actively ensuring compliance with the Domestic Crude Oil Obligations provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“The Initiative Supports Competitive Pricing and Market Efficiency
The framework for domestic crude transactions is designed to promote a competitive and efficient pricing environment.”
Continuing, Adedeji said the committee continues in its work on strengthening implementation, reaffirming their commitment “to ensuring the efficient execution of this initiative in line with its core objectives—enhancing local refining, reducing foreign exchange exposure, and stabilising the domestic fuel supply.”
