The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed claims by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) that its members paid ₦40 billion for refined petroleum products but were unable to load them from the refinery.
In a statement, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, clarified that the refinery has not received any payments from IPMAN. “Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them,” Chiejina said.
He explained that the payment in question was made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), not directly to Dangote Refinery. “The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us,” Chiejina stated.
Additionally, NNPCL has not authorized the release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN. Chiejina emphasized that Dangote Refinery can meet the nation’s demand for petroleum products and advised IPMAN to register with them and make direct payments.
“We would like to emphasize that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea. We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.”
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The refinery cautioned against making unfounded statements in the media, urging stakeholders to collaborate and promote a unified approach. “Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic,” Chiejina noted.
Dangote Refinery reassured its commitment to meeting the nation’s petroleum needs. “In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda,” Chiejina concluded.