The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to open up fuel supply channels and make products available to marketers at more competitive prices.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the association’s spokesperson, Ikem Ohia, stressed that better collaboration between the refinery and marketers would help end recurring fuel queues nationwide.
“Our interest is simple: consistent supply of petroleum products at fair prices, so that Nigerians no longer face the hardship of fuel scarcity,” Ohia said.
He dismissed speculation of a clash with the refinery, clarifying that marketers were only seeking a transparent arrangement that allows for regular distribution.
Ohia pointed out that while the refinery remains the country’s dominant supplier, challenges around pricing and accessibility persist.
“The question is: at what price are products offered, and do we actually have access to purchase them?” he queried.
According to him, DAPPMAN has built a robust distribution network over the last two decades, with depots in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar.
He urged Dangote to leverage this infrastructure to reach consumers across the country.
“We are not asking for subsidies. We are businessmen; Dangote is also a businessman. What we want is a fair arrangement that bridges the supply gap,” he added.
The marketers argue that global best practice shows refineries depend on bulk supply to large off-takers to keep production steady, warning that reliance on retail sales alone will not meet Nigeria’s demand.
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While Dangote has invested in 4,000 CNG-powered trucks for distribution, some industry players fear this could give the refinery excessive control over the downstream sector.
Business mogul Femi Otedola recently urged DAPPMAN to adapt to the new market realities, suggesting they consider acquiring assets like the Port Harcourt Refinery instead of challenging Dangote’s model.
In the same vein, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gilly-Harris, argued that the 4,000 trucks are insufficient for nationwide supply.
Dangote Refinery, however, insists it will not absorb logistics costs, noting that subsidy on petroleum products ended in May 2023. In a statement, the company dismissed DAPPMAN’s ₦1.5 trillion subsidy claim as “false and unfounded,” stressing that its pricing is based solely on production costs and regulated margins.
As negotiations continue, marketers maintain that bulk evacuation through depots remains the most effective way to guarantee steady supply and ensure Nigerians are not subjected to recurring fuel shortages.