The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has refuted recent claims by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) regarding difficulties in loading refined petroleum products from its facility.
In a statement issued Thursday by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, the refinery described IPMAN’s assertions as misleading and clarified that it has had no direct financial transactions with the association.
The clarification comes after IPMAN President Abubakar Garima claimed on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily that association 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).
Garima expressed surprise over the situation, suggesting that marketers were boycotting the refinery in favor of imported fuel, a notion he found puzzling given the $20 billion investment in the Dangote facility.
In response, the Dangote Refinery emphasized that no payments from IPMAN have been received, nor have any agreements been established to sell refined petroleum products to the association.
“It is misleading to suggest that IPMAN members are facing difficulties loading products from our refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them,” the statement clarified, adding that any financial exchanges or agreements should be coordinated directly with the refinery itself.
The refinery also highlighted that it cannot be held accountable for payments IPMAN made through NNPCL, as NNPCL has neither authorized nor approved the release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Dangote facility to IPMAN.
Chiejina’s statement underscored Dangote Refinery’s capacity to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands, noting it can handle the distribution of 2,900 trucks per day, with ongoing shipments via sea. He advised IPMAN to formalize arrangements directly with the refinery to ensure uninterrupted access to fuel supplies for its members.
“It’s important for all stakeholders to avoid making unfounded statements in the media, as such actions could undermine the economic restructuring efforts led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read, urging stakeholders to focus on constructive dialogue rather than “media conflicts and needless propaganda.”
The refinery encouraged collaborative engagement, calling on stakeholders to align with President Tinubu’s vision for a unified approach to national economic stability and growth.
