THE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has reached an agreement with Dangote Refinery to directly lift products.
IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this in Abuja today following a meeting of the Association’s National Working Committee.
He stated that this partnership will guarantee a consistent and affordable supply of PMS products across the country.
Following discussions with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, Garima said, “We are pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery will supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.”
Garima encouraged IPMAN members to support Dangote Refinery, highlighting the benefits of backward integration and the positive effects on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.
Regarding pricing, Garima expressed optimism that negotiations with Dangote would result in lower costs.
On the subject of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the IPMAN President indicated that the Association is preparing for a smooth transition to nationwide CNG refill stations, currently negotiating with the presidential CNG initiative.
This partnership is expected to enhance efficiency, affordability, and economic growth within Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
During the meeting, Dangote Refinery committed to supplying products to over 30,000 IPMAN members and 150,000 retail outlets across the nation. This initiative aims to eliminate middlemen, reduce costs, and ensure a steady supply.
Challenges in Lifting from Dangote
Earlier, IPMAN had voiced its frustrations over the difficulties marketers faced in lifting products from Dangote Refinery.
The Association noted that its members were unable to load petrol from the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, despite having paid ₦40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
However, Dangote Refinery countered IPMAN’s claims, clarifying that it had not received any payments from the Association for the purchase of refined petroleum products.
They stated that while discussions with IPMAN are ongoing, “it is misleading to suggest that IPMAN members are facing difficulties loading refined products from our refinery, as we currently have no direct business relationship with them.”
Consequently, the company emphasized that it cannot be held accountable for any payments made to other entities, as the payment mentioned was made through NNPCL and not directly to Dangote Refinery.
Furthermore, Dangote Refinery noted that NNPCL has not approved or authorized the release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN.
The company reiterated its capacity to meet Nigeria’s demand for all petroleum products and advised IPMAN to register directly with them and make payments for the products.
