Independent petrol marketers will soon begin directly sourcing products from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
This follows an agreement between their umbrella organization, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and a team from Dangote Refinery led by Aliko Dangote.
The exact date when IPMAN members will start loading from the refinery, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, remains undisclosed as the parties have not yet agreed on the ex-depot price.
IPMAN President Abubakar Maigandi, made this known to reporters in Abuja yesterday.
“After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS(Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol), AGO (Automated Gas Oil known as Diesel) and DPK( kerosene) directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets,” said Maigandi.
He assured that with the acceptance of the refinery’s management to sell directly to his members, petrol would be sold at an ‘’affordable rate to Nigerians.’’
Maigandi also expressed confidence that independent marketers’ direct purchase from the refinery would lead to product availability and security.
IPMAN, had in spite of their interest to lift petrol from the refinery been hindered by disagreements between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery management over supply and price.
Asked to state the rates at which the refinery would sell the product to IPMAN members, Maigandi said the two parties were yet to agree on it.
He said: “Already we all know the sector is being fully deregulated. We are going to start contact with Dangote on the issue of price. It is when we get the actual price that we can inform you. But I assure youth that the price that we are expecting will be at a lower rate.
‘’Once we reach an agreement on the price, we will start lifting. We have called on all members to get set for taking a product through Dangote directly, not through a third party.”
The IPMAN urged marketers to support the refinery, which he said would have ‘’a positive impact on the nation’s foreign exchange and job creation owing to its backward integration.’’
He added: ‘’This new arrangement with the Dangote Refinery will ensure steady and ceaseless supply of PMS products all over Nigeria, at an affordable rate for Nigerians also.
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