Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, said high cost of logistics associated with buying petrol from Dangote Refinery have driven them to seek affordable options at other depots across Nigeria.
National Assistant Secretary of IPMAN, Yakubu Suleiman, made this known yesterday while fielding questions on a television programme.
Suleiman also accused the CEO of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, of sidelining key stakeholders in its fuel supply strategy, claiming that limited engagement with independent marketers has hampered their ability to lift petrol from the facility.
He said, “As IPMAN, Dangote was supposed to have invited us for engagements—not just IPMAN, but all stakeholders, including MOMAN and DAPMAN. Unfortunately, until this moment, there has been no engagement.
“It is only IPMAN that has tried to engage him. We went to Dangote about three to four times seeking a meeting to discuss synergy between IPMAN and the refinery, but all to no avail. Most times, he tells us he will get back to us.”
According to Suleiman, IPMAN members are keen to support Dangote Refinery, but require direct engagement to ensure that fuel can be sourced at competitive prices.
“Like every Nigerian, IPMAN is happy for Dangote and his refinery, which is very strategic to the country.
“IPMAN, as a stakeholder in the industry, is very happy to work with Dangote and buy products from him, but the conditions must be right. Examples include the price he is offloading at and the ease of loading,” Suleiman stated.
According to him, the price per litre of petrol at Dangote Refinery is set at around N995, but additional charges push the price well above what importers pay, impacting both independent marketers and consumers.
He said, “If Dangote has a product selling for N1,000, let us assume, and there is another place selling for N900, we cannot just say, for the sake of our relationship with Dangote, that we will instruct our members to buy there. We must go where the price is lower, where we will get profit.
“As of last week, Dangote’s price was higher than other places.
“Crude prices are coming down internationally, but his rate was N995 per litre and you have to arrange for your own cargo and loading. With additional costs for transport and depot fees, how can we sell it at the final outlet?
“We have to pity Nigerians. IPMAN is trying its best to support the country, especially at this difficult time when people are suffering. We want to source cheaper products to sell at affordable prices for the people.”
Suleiman voiced frustration over Dangote Refinery’s engagement model, which he claims has largely involved government officials and other high-level stakeholders, while sidelining independent marketers.
“What we are asking Dangote to do is to call a stakeholders meeting. Let him engage IPMAN, MOMAN and DAPMAN so that we can sit down and serve Nigerians.
“He cannot do business in isolation—he needs people, especially IPMAN, as we are the biggest off-takers in this industry,” he said.
He added, “If Dangote sold directly to IPMAN at a fair price, fuel cost would have come down.
“We’d go straight to his refinery, pay N995 or N900, and transport it directly to our filling stations. I challenge you—if Dangote did this, you would see prices drop at our retail stations within days.”
