The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that its members are unable to load petrol from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, despite having made an upfront payment of ₦40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
IPMAN President Abubakar Garima who made this known on Wednesday, expressed surprise at recent statements made by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, who suggested that marketers were boycotting his refinery to purchase imported petrol.
Garima clarified that IPMAN members are not engaging in the importation of petrol, contrary to Dangote’s claims.
He emphasized that for a smoother loading process, the Dangote Refinery should directly register independent petroleum marketers rather than relying on the NNPCL.
“If he (Dangote) can sell the product to us directly, we are willing to purchase it, as payment is required before collection. Currently, we have ₦40 billion held by NNPCL, yet we are unable to source the product,” Garima stated.
He recounted instances where some IPMAN members sent trucks to load from the Dangote refinery but were left waiting for four days without success.
In a meeting on Tuesday with President Bola Tinubu, Dangote noted that his refinery has over 500 million litres in storage but is not receiving patronage from marketers.
Fuel Scarcity Unnecessary, We Have 500m Litres In Reserve — Aliko Dangote
In response, Garima highlighted that if the Dangote Refinery allowed independent marketers to lift products directly, it could lead to a decrease in petrol prices at the pump.
Garima also challenged Dangote to assess the pricing of his products. “Since he claims marketers are not buying his product, he should verify whether his prices are competitive compared to imported alternatives. Additionally, the delivery time from his facility to marketers’ depots is a crucial factor to consider,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that while there is no issue with marketers outside IPMAN choosing to sell imported products, Dangote should reevaluate the pricing of his offerings.
