This decision aligns with the existing agreement between NNPCL and the refinery.
Under the original agreement, NNPCL was designated as the exclusive distributor of the refinery’s petrol, with the first batch of 16.8 million liters initially handled by NNPCL’s retail division.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that several major marketers, including 11 Plc, have already begun distributing the product to their outlets across Lagos and other regions.
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One marketer, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed: “We are indeed lifting petrol from Dangote Refinery, but this is done under NNPC’s arrangement with the refinery. We are effectively lifting NNPC’s product, not directly from the refinery.”
However, independent marketers have not been included in this updated arrangement.
Vanguard reports that In a phone interview with Alhaji Abubakar Garima, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that only NNPCL has direct access to Dangote’s fuel. He noted that independent marketers are not yet purchasing from NNPCL under this arrangement.
Garima stated: “Independent marketers are awaiting NNPCL to announce the new price for petroleum products so we can start lifting. We are still buying at the old rate of N875 per liter, and we have outstanding stock with NNPCL that is expected to be cleared this week.”
With NNPCL being the sole off-taker of petrol from Dangote Refinery, marketers are considering importing fuel to remain competitive. They have urged the Federal Government to open up the sector to all participants.
Recent observations in Abuja and Lagos reveal that despite NNPC starting to load petrol from the Dangote Refinery four days ago, many filling stations have yet to receive supplies and remain closed.
Chief Chinedu Ukadike, Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, told Vanguard that the group is planning to start importing their own petrol. “There has been no progress; we are still waiting on NNPC. We know that at least three marketers are importing products. This is an opportunity for Dangote to engage with independent marketers directly,” Ukadike said.
He added: “We are asking Dangote to sell to us at the same price as NNPC. It doesn’t make sense for him to rely solely on NNPC for distribution when there are other buyers.
We are also considering importing to sustain our business and urge the Federal Government to hand over the Port Harcourt Refinery to independent marketers, who are ready to manage it effectively. This could be a solution to our current issues.”
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