A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continue granting and renewing petroleum product import licences for eligible companies, adding a new dimension to the ongoing dispute over fuel imports and domestic refining.
The court specifically directed the NMDPRA to continue issuing, extending or renewing licences for Matrix Energy, A.A. Rano Nigeria Limited and AYM Shafa Limited, provided they meet statutory and regulatory requirements. The ruling was based on the court’s interpretation of the Petroleum Industry Act and the need to promote competition in the downstream petroleum market.
The development comes as Dangote Petroleum Refinery has a separate case pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging the continued issuance of fuel import licences to the NNPC and other marketers. The Lagos court is scheduled to hear the case on October 7.
Petroleum marketers welcomed the Abuja ruling, saying continued access to imports would support competition and fuel supply, while refinery owners have called for a gradual reduction in imports as domestic refining capacity expands.
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