By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has disclosed that it has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly, although pricing remains blurry.
Recall that marketers had expressed frustration at how difficult marketers were finding it to lift products from the Dangote Refinery, after claiming to have paid N40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
However, Dangote Refinery refuted the claim by IPMAN, clarifying that it has not received any payments from IPMAN to purchase refined petroleum products.
Now, the IPMAN National President, Mr Abubakar Garima, said this has been resolved on Monday after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the association in Abuja.
He said the partnership will ensure a steady and affordable supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) otherwise known as petrol nationwide, following a successful meeting with Mr Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos.
“We’re pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”
At the meeting, the Dangote Refinery pledged to commence the supply of products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets nationwide.
This move is expected to eliminate middlemen, reduce costs, and ensure steady supply.
Mr Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing backward integration benefits and positive impacts on Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange market.
Despite this pricing mechanism remained unclear, with Mr Garima expressing confidence that negotiations with Dangote would yield lower rates.
Speaking on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the IPMAN President said the association is preparing for a seamless transition to CNG refill stations nationwide as it is currently negotiating with the presidential CNG initiative
This partnership is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Modupe Gbadeyanka