The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has formally opposed a lawsuit brought by Dangote Petroleum Refinery regarding fuel import licences issued to various marketers. NNPC contends that granting Dangote's request to limit or nullify these import permits could jeopardize Nigeria’s energy security and lead to significant supply disruptions and price instability. In its legal arguments presented to the federal high court in Lagos, NNPC emphasized that the issuance of import licences is permitted under existing laws for firms with local refining capabilities, and it highlighted the discretionary authority of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in managing imports. The ongoing legal dispute has garnered attention as it involves not only NNPC and Dangote refinery but also fuel marketers who have expressed concerns that restricting imports may undermine competition and threaten the stability of the downstream petroleum sector.
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