Petrol Supply: Dangote Refinery tackles IPMAN

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said contrary to its recent claims, it has not yet had any business dealings with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products from its refinery

Dangote said this in response to claims by IPMAN that its members have not been able to load petroleum products from its refinery in Lagos despite making payments to the company

However, Dangote described the claim by IPMAN as untrue while noting that it has not received any payments from IPMAN to purchase refined petroleum products.

“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, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities,” Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote said in a statement.

“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN,” Dangote added in the statement.

The company also insisted that it has enough petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians, contrary to the claim of IPMAN.

“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,” Dangote Refinery concluded.

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