The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that it is misleading to suggest that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from its refinery.
The company’s statement signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, on Thursday, was in response to a claim by IPMAN on Wednesday 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).
IPMAN President Abubakar Garima, who stated this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, expressed surprise that Aliko Dangote, the owner of the $20bn refinery, said marketers were boycotting his refinery to buy imported petrol.
However, the Dangote Refinery in its statement clarified 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 (PMS) 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.
“We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda,” the statement read in part.
