Oil marketers have reiterated their readiness to buy refined petroleum products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, following comments from Aliko Dangote regarding the lack of purchases from his facility.
This statement came after Dangote criticized ongoing fuel imports by marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), despite the refinery’s production capabilities.
In response to Dangote’s remarks, representatives from the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) confirmed their interest in sourcing petrol from the $20 billion facility.
PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry stated that the association had previously reached out to Dangote to arrange a business meeting and clarify operational modalities, emphasizing that direct access to the refinery was not feasible without prior discussions.
Gillis-Harry added, “We are willing to patronize Dangote, but we need a transparent and productive business meeting to discuss how we can work together.” He expressed frustration over the lack of engagement from the refinery, highlighting that previous attempts to set up meetings have not yielded results.
IPMAN President Abubakar Maigandi also raised concerns about difficulties faced by members in accessing fuel at the Dangote refinery, despite a significant payment made through the NNPCL. He pointed out that some marketers waited up to four days without being able to load fuel, which raised questions about the refinery’s claims of having substantial stock available.
Amid these discussions, it was revealed that the Dangote refinery has been prioritizing sales to dealers with import licenses, further complicating access for independent marketers. Some marketers have indicated that the refinery is currently focused on those with valid import permits, potentially due to its location in a free trade zone.
Energy expert Professor Emeritus Wumi Iledare suggested that the government should consider granting waivers to facilitate direct sales to local marketers, thereby enhancing competition and access to the refinery’s products. He emphasized the importance of balancing the interests of both investors and consumers.
As the situation develops, oil marketers are awaiting confirmation from the Dangote refinery to schedule meetings and clarify the purchasing process.
The continued uncertainties surrounding fuel supply and pricing have led to public frustration, particularly in light of recent price hikes by the NNPCL, which have raised concerns about rising inflation and its impact on consumers.
