The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said it cannot sell petrol to marketers because it has yet to receive authorisation from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
The Dangote Refinery made the explanation in a statement, in response to claims by marketers under the auspices of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), that they had not been able to lift petrol from the refinery despite waiting there for almost four days.
The claim was corroborated by the National President of Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, who stated that petrol retailers had approached the refinery on the need to load products but this never worked, just as the price of the commodity remained shrouded in secrecy.
However, in a statement by the Dangote Group, signed by the Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company denied receiving money from IPMAN, saying the IPMAN members’ money was paid to NNPC which did not authorise Dangote to sell to the independent marketers.
The refinery said it has no direct dealings with IPMAN yet, though talks are ongoing as regards 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, we cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities,” the statement read in part.
Dangote Refinery reiterated its earlier position that it has capacity to meet the nation’s fuel demand with the ability to load 2,900 trucks per day.
“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,” the company stated.
