The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of fostering a monopoly in the nation’s oil and gas industry. IPMAN’s claim stems from the prolonged delays surrounding the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries. IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike stated that if the NNPCL-managed refineries were operational, they would serve as a counterbalance to the Dangote Refinery, leading to more competitive fuel prices for Nigerians. He called on the President to urgently declare a state of emergency on the government-owned refineries. “NNPCL refineries are not working. We have the president declare an emergency in these refineries. It is NNPCL that is encouraging monopoly, not Dangote Refinery. If NNPCL refineries are producing petroleum products, it will checkmate Dangote Refinery, with more competitive petroleum product prices for Nigerians,” His comments followed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) announcement of the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for maintenance, with no specific timeline for resumption. The move reignited concerns over the viability of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which underwent rehabilitation in November and December 2024 at a cost of over \$1.5 billion. DAILY POST