By Milcah Tanimu
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has authorized major petroleum marketers to begin lifting premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This follows an existing agreement between NNPCL and the refinery, with the initial consignment of 16.8 million liters being lifted by NNPCL’s retail entity.
Vanguard reports that some major marketers, including 11 Plc, have already started lifting the product for distribution to outlets in Lagos and other parts of the country. However, independent marketers have not been included in this arrangement. One marketer, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that they are lifting NNPC products from Dangote Refinery but have no direct agreement with the refinery itself.
The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Garima, confirmed that only NNPCL currently has access to Dangote fuel, and independent marketers are still waiting for NNPCL to set a new price for the petroleum products. He noted that independent marketers are loading petrol at the old rate of ₦875 per liter as many members have outstanding stock with NNPCL, which they expect to clear soon.
Under the current deal that gives NNPCL the sole right to lift petrol from the Dangote Refinery, independent marketers may have to turn to importation to keep their businesses afloat. Many are urging the Federal Government to fully open the sector to all players.
Despite NNPCL starting the distribution of petrol from the refinery four days ago, many filling stations in Abuja and Lagos remain unsupplied. Chief Chinedu Ukadike, the Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, stated that the group plans to begin importing its own petrol, criticizing the current arrangement and urging Dangote to sell directly to independent marketers at the same price as NNPC.
Ukadike also called for the Federal Government to allow independent marketers to manage the Port Harcourt Refinery to address ongoing supply issues.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), expressed the need for greater transparency in the lifting arrangement, calling for more details on the pricing and the framework under which NNPCL and the marketers are operating.
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