Petroleum products marketers have dismissed claims of a boycott against petrol from Dangote Refinery. This comes as the Federal Government announces the resumption of petrol supply from the refinery, starting tomorrow.
Olufemi Adewole, the Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), addressed the issue in a statement to Vanguard. Adewole emphasized that there was never any official boycott of the refinery’s petrol.
He explained that petroleum marketers had been waiting for government clearance on the specifics of how petrol would be distributed from the refinery. “The sector needs to operate transparently in a manner that allows all stakeholders to thrive and contribute significantly to ensuring availability, reliability, and accessibility of petroleum products nationwide,” Adewole said.
He also mentioned that DAPPMAN’s members have actively purchased products from Dangote Refinery, showing their commitment to meeting Nigeria’s energy needs. “DAPPMAN remains aligned with calls to avoid a monopoly that could harm economic growth and development,” Adewole added.
The situation has taken a positive turn as the Federal Government and Dangote Refinery have reached an agreement. On Friday, Zacch Adedeji, a member of the Presidential Committee on the Sale of Crude Oil and Refined Products, and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, made an announcement in Abuja.
He stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would continue to be the sole off-taker of petrol from the Dangote Refinery.
Adedeji confirmed that NNPC Limited would start supplying 385,000 barrels of crude oil to Dangote Refinery on October 1, 2024. This arrangement is expected to kick off the supply of petrol from the refinery.
The new agreement aims to streamline the distribution process and ensure that petrol from Dangote Refinery reaches consumers efficiently. Adewole reassured Nigerians that DAPPMAN is committed to providing high-quality fuel solutions and maintaining the sustainability of the sector.
The agreement between the Federal Government and Dangote Refinery is seen as a significant step towards improving the availability of petrol in the country. It comes after concerns about potential disruptions in petrol supply due to alleged boycott actions.
