Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, says the Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently has over 500 million litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, available for sale.
Dangote spoke after a meeting on Tuesday with President Bola Tinubu and his committee on crude oil and refined product sales in local currency.
The billionaire said retailers are not collecting the available products to ease petrol queues, which also results in financial losses for the company.
“With enough supply of crude, we can actually produce much more than 30 million litres every day. At full capacity, we can even supply whatever is being consumed.
“But what I estimated as consumption, which I believe may be about 30, 32 million, we can start producing by next week, so it is not really an issue, because, as we speak today, we have 500 million litres in our tanks.
“500 million litres in our tanks even if there’s no protection from any or no imports, this will take the country more than 12 days, with no imports, with no production, nothing. We are more than ready.”
Dangote assured Tinubu that the company would supply at least 30 million litres per day and gradually increase production.
‘DANGOTE REFINERY LOSING MONEY DUE TO UNSOLD PMS’
The businessman explained that keeping unsold PMS in storage is costly, urging retailers to collect the products to reduce petrol queues and the company’s losses.
“On the streets, one thing that you have to understand is that we are producers. I have a refinery. I’m not in the business of retail. If I’m in the business of retail, then you hold me responsible. But what I’m saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick. If they don’t come forward and pick, what do you want me to do? There is nothing that I can do.
“I am expecting the NNPC or the marketers to stop importing, they should come and pick because we have what they need. I don’t know whether you understand what it takes to keep half a billion litres inside our tank.
“It’s costing me money every day. If I will be able to collect the naira, I can actually charge somebody 32 percent in interest. So right now, that’s what I’m losing. And we are talking about 500 million, and we don’t print money.
“The issue is that if they come and collect, then you will not see any queues in the filling stations. We have what it takes for them to come and collect. We are not retailers. We also don’t have trucks to send. We have a factory, we have where they can load,” Dangote said.
Dangote, who urged retailers to collect the PMS available, just as they do with imported product, questioned why, if retailers are distributing 55 million litres daily, they would not collect and distribute the company’s stock.
Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy announced the refinery would commence the distribution of PMS, on September 15.
On October 10, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell petrol to its members at the Dangote refinery rate or refund the oil marketers’ money.
IPMAN said its members’ money has been with NNPC for over three months.
The association said the national oil company collected PMS from the Dangote refinery below N900 per litre, but NNPC wants oil marketers to buy the same product at the rate of N1,010 in Lagos, N1,045 in Calabar, N1,050 in Port Harcourt, and N1,040 in Warri.
The next day, the federal government said oil marketers can now buy petroleum products directly from the Dangote refinery and other local producers — one week after directing the Dangote refi
Redeemed Church embroiled in homosexuality scandal, suspends 2 pastors, begins probe
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has announced the suspension of two ministers, Pastor Ayorinde AdeBello and Deacon Oke Mayowa.
These developments follow viral allegations of homosexuality after the popular blog Gistlover released a list of prominent Nigerians allegedly involved.
Social media reactions have identified several individuals, including Pastor Ayorinde.
This was outlined in an internal memo dated 28th October 2024, signed by RCCG National Overseer, Pastor Sunday Akande, titled, “RCCG Suspends Two Pastors Amidst Homosexuality Allegations.”
Akande informed the church’s Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Administration of the decision to temporarily relieve the accused of their duties while the church conducts an investigation.
In the memo, Akande underscored RCCG’s commitment to upholding biblical principles.
“Our mission is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, and we must address these allegations with the seriousness they deserve,” he stated.
The RCCG’s stance on homosexuality is based on passages such as Leviticus 18:22, which describes same-sex relations as an “abomination,” and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, which warns that the “unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“For RCCG, adhering to these principles is seen as a core part of its mission,” Akande further noted.
Akande directed the Special Assistant to ensure a thorough investigation of the allegations.
He called for the inquiry to be handled with confidentiality and respect for all involved parties, stating that the church’s leadership had requested that the investigation be concluded within two weeks.
During this period, Akande instructed AdeBello, Mayowa, and any others allegedly involved to refrain from participating in any church activities, clarifying that the suspension is a precautionary measure pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This is a matter of integrity and adherence to our values,” he affirmed.
This is not the first time RCCG has encountered challenges related to doctrinal adherence. As one of Nigeria’s largest Christian organisations, RCCG has frequently addressed issues it perceives as contrary to its values, prioritising discipline and strict adherence to its interpretation of biblical morality.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to impact RCCG’s approach to similar issues in the future.
The church’s handling of this matter may serve as a message to its global membership, reaffirming RCCG’s commitment to its doctrines amid evolving societal norms.
Meanwhile, one of the suspended pastors, Ayorinde, responded in an Instagram post with an official statement titled “My Response to the Allegation of Sodomising Teenagers,” denying all accusations.
“In the past few days, allegations have been made against me and others via a blog on social media known as Gistlover.
“I had initially wanted to respond as soon as the allegations came to my attention, but I was advised not to, as I was not the only one named, and we may have been included to drive engagement on the blog.
“However, as these allegations have now escalated into criminal accusations, I am compelled to respond, as my prolonged silence has been misconstrued as an admission of guilt,” the statement read.
He maintained that, whether for gratification or any other reason, he would never engage in such acts and has never trapped nor preyed on unsuspecting teenagers.
“It was alleged that I have engaged in sodomy with male teenagers, implying that I have been having sex with them. It was also claimed that I demanded sex from males as payment or gratification to offer them assistance, platforms, or positions as a kingmaker. Some individuals were mentioned as those with whom I have allegedly had such relationships and to whom I have given platforms.”
He further stated, “A damaging picture was posted online, portraying me as allegedly having sodomised one Mr. Jedidiah. A screenshot of a conversation in a WhatsApp group for male teenagers was also posted online,” he added.
The suspended RCCG minister clarified that the viral WhatsApp message was taken out of context, intended merely for teaching purposes within a male teenagers’ WhatsApp group, where discussions on male reproductive health and self-esteem were held.
“I have never sodomised or had sex with any male teenager, nor have I had any sexual interactions with Mr. Jedidiah or proposed sex to him for any reason.
“The questions in the screenshot were asked during a conversation in the group. The teenagers were taught about hygiene, the appropriate types of underwear to purchase, and that girth and length determine size. I also reassured them that their sizes should not impact their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.”
Ayorinde asserted that the WhatsApp message was mischievously quoted out of context to portray him as someone who engages in sexual relations with male teenagers.
“Please note that we have covered a range of topics in the WhatsApp group, including Bible studies, prayer meetings, academics, career choices, life skills, and discussions on father-son and mother-son relationships.
“We have also discussed interactions with females, specifically how to respect and relate to them, which the teenagers in the group, particularly the male National Teens Executives, can attest to.”
“The instigators and accusers have used anonymity as their weapon of choice, attacking me from various quarters. Now, I have clarified the WhatsApp screenshot, which is the only ‘evidence’ presented. I categorically affirm that I am innocent of the allegations against me,” he concluded.nery to sell petrol to only the NNPC.
