We didn’t Boycott Dangote Refinery, Says Oil Marketers

Petroleum marketers have strongly refuted claims that they are boycotting Dangote refinery.

Instead, they have lifted 518,500 metric tonnes of diesel and Jet A1 fuel from the refinery over the past five months, accounting for 60 percent of the nation’s total truck-out.

This counters recent statements made by Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, who alleged that local petroleum marketers were shunning the refinery.

Depot owners have pointed to records from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which show that independent local marketers, including Asharami, MRS Oil and Gas, AA Rano, Rainoil, Prudent, NIPCO, Aym Shafa, and Danmarna, have been consistently using the Dangote refinery.

This underscores their commitment to ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products across the country.

From April to September, marketers distributed 489,500 metric tonnes of diesel and 29,000 metric tonnes of Jet A1 across Nigerian ports.

Diesel shipments included 17 to Lagos, six to Warri, two to Port Harcourt, and one to Calabar, while all three Jet A1 shipments were offloaded in Lagos.

Despite this, marketers have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from Dangote refinery, which has been a barrier to broader local market engagement.

Olufemi Adewole, Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), emphasised that the sector requires transparency to enable all stakeholders to contribute effectively to the availability and reliability of petroleum products.

He clarified that the alleged boycott of Dangote’s PMS was inaccurate and that marketers are awaiting government guidance on the procedures for purchasing petrol from the refinery.

“DAPPMAN, as evidenced by the ongoing patronage of Dangote refinery’s products, remains committed to meeting Nigeria’s energy needs and opposes any form of monopoly that could hinder economic progress,” Adewole stated.

He further explained that global petroleum trading is driven by price and quality, and that marketers will naturally gravitate toward sources offering the best value.

Adewole reassured Nigerians that DAPPMAN will continue to strive for excellent fuel solutions and sector sustainability.