Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) has accused the Federal Government of taking deliberate steps capable of sabotaging the Dangote Refinery through the issuance of petroleum import licenses to some business groups.
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Friday, the President of KACCIMA, Ambassador Hassan Darma, expressed concern over the Federal Government’s recent approval of licenses for the importation of petroleum products, describing the move as an unnecessary and direct attack on the Dangote Refinery.
He then urged the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for local investors, noting that strong support for homegrown businesses remains key to Nigeria’s economic development.
Ambassador Darma argued that the Dangote Refinery has the capacity to meet Nigeria’s domestic petroleum needs and even export surplus products, questioning the justification for continued importation.
“One could understand such actions at a time when the Dangote Refinery was supplying the nation, but this is no longer the case, as the refinery is not only meeting local demand but also exporting beyond Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that the Dangote Group remains one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous business conglomerates, providing employment for thousands of Nigerians across multiple sectors of the economy. According to him, any attempt to undermine the refinery would have serious negative consequences for the national economy.
The KACCIMA president warned that unresolved issues surrounding the refinery could disrupt its operations and potentially force the company to scale down its workforce, stressing that rising unemployment remains a major driver of insecurity in the country.
“Government policies should focus on creating and sustaining jobs, not triggering situations that could worsen unemployment,” Darma stated.
Addressing claims that Dangote has monopolised the petroleum sector, he described such arguments as counterproductive, adding that rather than encouraging importation, individuals or groups should be supported to establish their own indigenous refineries to promote healthy competition.
Alternatively, he urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate its four non-functional refineries to enable public sector participation in the market alongside private investors.
Ambassador Darma also called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle corruption in the oil sector, citing unresolved allegations against a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
According to him, transparency and accountability are essential for restoring public confidence and stabilising the economy.
Describing the prolonged dispute between the Federal Government and the Dangote Group as a form of economic sabotage, the KACCIMA president appealed for an urgent and amicable resolution of the issues.
He dismissed allegations that the Dangote Group is seeking to monopolise the oil and gas sector, warning that such narratives could discourage indigenous investors.
Darma said KACCIMA and other private sector stakeholders have a responsibility to speak out against policies that threaten local investments, stressing that protecting indigenous businesses is critical to achieving sustainable economic growth.
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