The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly.
IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima announced this at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association.
He said the partnership would ensure a steady, affordable supply of PMS products nationwide.
“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, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets,” he said.
Garima urged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, citing the benefits of backward integration and its positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
“IPMAN members should rely on Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for white products, creating more job opportunities and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”
The latest development concludes several months of negotiations between both parties and is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth.
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At the meeting the refinery, pledged to commence 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 a steady supply.
Earlier, IPMAN had expressed frustration at how difficult marketers were finding it to lift products from the Dangote Refinery.
IPMAN lamented that its members can’t load petrol from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos despite having paid ₦40bn to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.
However, the refinery refuted the claim by IPMAN, clarifying that it has not received any payments from IPMAN to purchase refined petroleum products.
It stated that although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, “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, the company said it cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities, as the payment in mention has been made through NNPCL, and not Dangote Refinery.
It added that in the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised the company to release our Premium Motor Spirit to IPMAN.
While emphasizing that it can meet Nigeria’s demand for all petroleum products, Dangote Refinery advised IPMAN to register directly with the company and make payments for petroleum products.
Credible News.ng