Dangote Petroleum Refinery has alleged that an international trading company hired a depot near its facility to blend substandard petroleum products for distribution within Nigeria. The company asserts that these low-quality imports not only mislead local buyers but also undermine its high-standard, locally-produced petroleum offerings. Additionally, Dangote claims that its refined petrol is cheaper than imported alternatives marketed by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, highlighted these concerns in a statement, emphasizing the need for the Nigerian government to protect local industries that stimulate job creation and economic growth. Chiejina stated: “An international trading company has recently hired a depot facility next to the Dangote Refinery to use it to blend sub-standard products that will be dumped into the market to compete with Dangote Refinery’s higher quality production.”
He criticized organizations like the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) for allegedly promoting disinformation about Dangote’s prices, asserting that these organizations claim they can import petrol (PMS) at prices lower than those of Dangote. Dangote maintains that its prices are competitive, benchmarking against international standards.
Furthermore, Chiejina raised concerns over the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), noting the absence of sufficient laboratory facilities to detect substandard fuel imports effectively. “If anyone claims they can land PMS at a price cheaper than what we are selling, then they are importing sub-standard products and conniving with international traders to dump low-quality products into the country, without concern for the health of Nigerians or the longevity of their vehicles,” he stated.
Chiejina explained that Dangote Refinery has committed to lower pricing despite fluctuations in crude purchase exchange rates, as NNPC previously set its pricing benchmark at N971 per liter for sales into ships and N990 per liter for trucks. Currently, Dangote sells at N960 per liter for ships and N990 for trucks, aimed at offering competitive prices and supporting local market needs.
The situation underscores Dangote’s commitment to providing affordable, quality petroleum products to Nigerians while calling for government action to prevent the import of substandard fuel.
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