Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reaffirmed its stance regarding its September 15 publication addressing the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), insisting that it stands by every detail contained in the statement.
The company noted that the publication appeared in several national newspapers, including The Guardian, ThisDay, The Punch, Daily Trust, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Sun, Vanguard, The Nation, BusinessDay, Leadership, Daily Independent, and Blueprint, as well as across major online platforms.
The refinery emphasised that any party aggrieved by the publication is free to seek redress through proper legal channels rather than resorting to what it described as a “so-called seven-day notice,” adding that it is fully prepared to defend its position.
According to Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the ongoing dispute with DAPPMAN arises from the marketers’ demand for an annual subsidy of N1.505 trillion to enable them to sell at the same price as the refinery’s gantry rates. While the refinery supplies petroleum products directly at gantry price, it said DAPPMAN insists on receiving products through coastal logistics, a method that would add N75 per litre in extra costs. Based on daily consumption projections of 40 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 15 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), the refinery calculated this to amount to N1.505 trillion annually, a burden the marketers are effectively asking it to absorb and pass on to consumers.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery explained that marketers are specifically seeking a discount of N70 per litre to cover coastal freight, NIMASA, NPA, and other associated costs, in addition to N5 per litre for vessel pumping costs to move products from the refinery to Apapa depots. The company made it clear it has no intention of raising gantry prices to accommodate such demands or subsidising over N1.5 trillion, noting that subsidy practices had previously defrauded the Federal Government for years. It reiterated that marketers are free to lift products directly from its gantry and take advantage of its logistics-free initiative.
The company assured that it has the capacity to meet domestic fuel demand while supporting exports, maintaining a monthly closing stock of 500 million litres of refined products. Between June and September, it exported 3,229,881 metric tonnes of PMS, AGO, and aviation fuel, while marketers imported 3,687,828 metric tonnes within the same period, which it described as dumping harmful to the economy and citizens.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery highlighted its continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s reform initiatives, saying it has worked strategically to stabilise the Naira, cushion the effects of subsidy removal, establish Nigeria as a refining hub, boost foreign exchange earnings, and create jobs. The company said it maintains strong partnerships with government agencies and will continue to support their efforts while holding institutions accountable where necessary.
The refinery concluded by reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s progress and wellbeing, while remaining open to collaboration with patriotic and responsible stakeholders in pursuit of national development.
