Oil marketers in Nigeria are poised to collaborate with Dangote Refinery to purchase refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the facility, signaling their support for the local refinery. Gilli Billis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), stated that marketers are open to buying products from the refinery, provided that all necessary market terms and conditions are met.
“We are willing to engage with Dangote Refinery, provided market indices align to create a beneficial arrangement for both parties,” Billis-Harry emphasized.
He also announced that a meeting has been scheduled this week between oil marketers and Dangote Refinery officials to finalize discussions on establishing a seamless working relationship. This engagement will address agreements on pricing, distribution logistics, and other operational terms.
This development comes as Nigeria seeks self-sufficiency in petroleum refining to reduce dependence on imported fuel and stabilize domestic prices.
“There are no gloves that are off. PETROAN, along with other patriotic stakeholders, is committed to serving Nigeria effectively. We have never removed our gloves. Dangote is one of us, and we admire his contributions to Nigeria. We are very proud of him,” Billis-Harry stated.
“However, after the pride, we need to get into business. We have been discussing matters publicly, but this business requires formal arrangements. NNPCL has been dealing with us, and there are established procedures to make this work.”
He added, “We want to patronize Dangote Refinery. There’s no reason not to.”
This clarification follows PETROAN’s earlier accusations that Dangote Refinery was attempting to suppress competition in the downstream sector. These allegations arose after Dangote Refinery claimed that marketers were dissatisfied with its petrol pricing because they preferred to import substandard products at lower rates.
In a statement on Sunday, Dangote Refinery disclosed that it sells petrol at ₦990 per litre in trucks and ₦960 per litre in ships, asserting that its pricing is competitive with international market rates. This statement came after both PETROAN and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) claimed they could procure petrol at lower prices than those offered by Dangote Refinery.
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