Aduragbemi Omiyale
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Oil marketers in the country, particularly those under the aegis of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), have expressed confidence that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos would accelerate that nation’s economic development.
DAPPMAN is one of the three key associations in the downstream oil sector in Nigeria that have been authorised to lift petroleum products from Dangote Refinery.
The two others are the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, (MOMAN).
These three groups constitute 75 per cent of the total market in Nigeria and have been registered by Dangote Refinery to distribute its products across the country.
In a statement over the weekend, Dangote Refinery said it was also considering other marketers that have signified interest in the lifting and distribution of its petroleum products in the country.
The Executive Secretary of DAPPMAN, Mr Olufemi Adewole, said his group commenced discussions with Dangote Refinery regarding the lifting and distribution of refined petroleum products last year during a meeting with the President of Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote.
According to him, the meeting was to explore collaboration between the refinery and DAPPMAN members whose nationwide presence will be critical in distributing products from the refinery to the consumers.
Speaking in the same vein, the National Vice President of IPMAN, Mr Hammed Adekunle Fasola, said the association had declared its intention to lift and distribute petroleum products from Dangote Refinery.
“We have already established a business relationship with Dangote Refinery. We believe that the relationship is going to be a win-win one.
“Our association owns 80 per cent of the retail outlets in the country and we have all it takes to ensure smooth distribution of petroleum products from Dangote Refinery across the country,” he stated.
On his part, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of MOMAN, Mr Clement Isong, said members of his organisation have registered with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to become marketers of its products.
“I confirm that my members have registered with them. We were waiting for the production to start and now it has started, and they will start discussing the commercial terms. So yes, major marketers and other players will buy for the market. The important thing was the registration.
“So now, the commercial terms will be agreed with each marketer and then they will buy from them. There are several ways you can buy from them.
“They have loading ranks, over 90, so you can take your truck to go and pick. You can also use vessels to pick. Those are the two ways you pick products,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, reacting to the spate of reports claiming to be appointed distributors of Dangote Petroleum products, the management of Dangote Industries Limited noted that, “All news regarding the Dangote Refinery should not be taken as a matter of fact if not officially communicated by the company.”
