The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) reports that its members are facing challenges loading petrol at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos despite having paid ₦40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
IPMAN President Abubakar Garima expressed surprise over recent comments by Aliko Dangote, the owner of the $20 billion refinery, who suggested that marketers were avoiding his refinery to buy imported petrol. According to Garima, IPMAN is willing to purchase petrol from Dangote directly rather than through NNPCL.
“We are ready to buy directly from Dangote if he’s prepared to sell directly to us,” Garima said. “Currently, we have ₦40 billion under NNPCL custody, yet we are unable to source the product.”
Garima pointed out that some IPMAN members sent by NNPCL to load petrol at the Dangote facility waited up to four days with their trucks but were still unable to load. He urged the Dangote Refinery to register independent marketers directly to streamline the process.
Garima argued that direct access to Dangote’s petrol would likely reduce pump prices, benefiting consumers. He also suggested that Dangote reassess his pricing if the claim of marketer boycott persists, adding, “If marketers are not buying, it could be due to price. Is it higher than what is obtained elsewhere, or is it the same rate?”
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