Dangote Refinery has issued a public statement to address claims made by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) regarding the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country.
According to statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina IPMAN and PETROAN suggested that they could import PMS at prices lower than those offered by the Dangote Refinery. Dangote representatives emphasized that their prices are aligned with international benchmarks, ensuring competitive rates compared to imports.
Chiejina said the refinery raised concerns that any significantly lower prices could indicate the importation of substandard fuel, which may harm both vehicle engines and public health. The statement further criticized the regulatory body, NMDPRA, noting it lacks laboratory facilities to assess fuel quality.
Following Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal, Dangote Refinery initially set domestic prices at N971 per litre for ship sales and N990 for truck distribution, later reducing the ship price to N960. The company highlighted that it implemented these prices without yet having clarity on exchange rates for crude purchases.
The statement also cautioned against the activities of an international trading company that recently hired a depot adjacent to Dangote Refinery, alleging plans to blend and distribute lower-quality fuel, undermining local production. Dangote cited global examples, such as U.S. and European protective tariffs, to argue for measures supporting domestic industries.
Dangote Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality, locally refined fuel at accessible prices and urged the public to ignore “deliberate disinformation” that it believes is aimed at perpetuating reliance on fuel imports.
