Manny Ita –
Members of the House of Representatives have sounded the alarm over what they describe as an opaque cost burden on domestic refiners, claiming that international middlemen in London and Dubai are extracting an additional $18 per barrel for access to Nigerian crude oil. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a lawmaker representing his constituency in the House, stated that this practice is directly contributing to rising fuel prices at local petrol stations.
“Domestic refiners are being compelled to pay intermediaries abroad before they can access the crude produced in Nigeria,” Ugochinyere said. “This is an unnecessary cost that ultimately reflects in higher pump prices for our citizens.”
The legislator called on relevant federal agencies to investigate the arrangement and ensure transparency in the allocation and pricing of crude oil for local refining. “We cannot allow international intermediaries to dictate costs that Nigerians ultimately bear,” he added, emphasizing the need for a review of current supply and distribution protocols.
Industry observers note that Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with domestic refining efficiency, coupled with such additional costs, exacerbate fuel scarcity and inflationary pressures. Ugochinyere’s disclosure has renewed calls for policy reforms aimed at reducing reliance on foreign middlemen and improving the operational viability of local refineries.
“The government must act swiftly to remove these bottlenecks and protect Nigerian consumers,” the lawmaker concluded, urging immediate legislative and executive action to safeguard the nation’s energy interests.
