The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has officially stated that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for refined petroleum products, addressing growing concerns among oil marketers about petrol supplies.
In a statement issued on October 31, Anthony Chiejina, the chief branding and communications officer for Dangote Group, emphasized that the refinery has no business dealings with IPMAN and cannot be held accountable for any payments made to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
This clarification follows remarks by Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Industries Limited, who noted that the refinery currently holds over 500 million litres of petrol, yet oil marketers are reportedly hesitant to purchase the product. In response, IPMAN claimed its members have faced difficulties in loading petrol from the refinery, despite having paid N40 billion to NNPC.
Chiejina addressed these claims, stating, “It is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them. Consequently, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.”
The Dangote Refinery reiterated its capability to meet national demand for a range of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, with the ability to load 2,900 trucks daily and transport products by sea. The refinery encouraged IPMAN members to register and make direct payments for access to these products, assuring them, “There is more than enough petroleum product to satisfy the needs of their members.”
Chiejina also urged stakeholders to refrain from making unsubstantiated statements to the media, warning that such actions could hinder economic progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He called for collaboration among stakeholders, aligning with Tinubu’s initiatives aimed at economic re-engineering and growth.
As the situation develops, the Dangote Refinery’s commitment to transparency and cooperation may play a crucial role in stabilizing petrol supplies and enhancing relationships within the Nigerian petroleum market.