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NNPCL Still Sole Buyer Of Dangote Petrol Despite Directive

Published

2 months ago

Oct 17, 2024.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) remains the sole off-taker of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, despite the Federal Government’s recent directive allowing independent oil marketers to begin lifting petrol from the facility.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Oil marketers confirmed on Wednesday that NNPCL will retain its exclusive rights to lift petrol from the $20 billion Lekki-based refinery until its current agreement with the Dangote refinery concludes. However, neither the NNPC nor Dangote refinery officials have provided details on when this agreement will end.

This comes after the Federal Government, in an October 11, 2024, statement from the finance ministry, announced that petroleum marketers were now permitted to negotiate direct purchases from local refineries, including Dangote, bypassing the NNPC’s intermediary role.

The statement said, “Marketers are now able to purchase PMS directly from local refineries without NNPC’s involvement, promoting competition and improving market efficiency.”

However, following a meeting with Dangote refinery officials on October 15, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) disclosed that NNPC remains the exclusive buyer of Dangote petrol for now, due to a standing agreement between both parties.

In a notice issued by the Zonal Chairman of IPMAN’s Western Zone, Dele Tajudeen, the association stated, “The Vice President of Dangote confirmed that while directives from the finance and petroleum ministers allow direct sales to registered marketers, the agreement with NNPC still stands.”

IPMAN’s National Executive Council is scheduled to meet in Abuja to discuss the situation further. The notice also urged marketers yet to register with IPMAN to do so promptly, as only registered members will benefit when direct sales eventually commence.