The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Monday announced that it has reached an agreement with Dangote Refinery for its members to directly lift petrol from the facility.
IPMAN national president, Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, told journalists in Abuja that the agreement also covers the direct lifting of automotive gas oil (diesel) and kerosene.
Shettima called on marketers to support the refinery, emphasising that such support would help boost Nigeria’s economy.
Oil marketers, including some IPMAN members, had previously insisted on importing petrol to compete with products produced by Dangote Refinery.
The IPMAN boss highlighted the success of recent discussions, stating: “Following our recent meeting with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and members of his top management staff in Lagos, we are pleased to announce that:
“The Dangote Refinery has agreed to allow IPMAN to directly lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) for onward supply to IPMAN depots and retail outlets.
“This new arrangement with Dangote Refinery will ensure a steady and uninterrupted supply of PMS products across Nigeria, at affordable rates for Nigerians.
“All IPMAN members should fully support the Dangote Refinery, as this is the right course of action, given the substantial benefits of backward integration and its long-term positive impact on Nigeria’s foreign exchange markets.
“IPMAN members nationwide should rely on the Dangote Refinery and Nigerian refineries for their white products, which will create more job opportunities in Nigeria and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.”
Shettima also spoke on the federal government’s push to encourage the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel for vehicles, saying: “I urge all our members at IPMAN to begin preparing for the successful transition to CNG refill stations at our outlets.
“There is no doubt that CNG has the potential to rejuvenate our economy and improve the quality of life for Nigerians. IPMAN is fully committed to supporting this initiative.
“We also call for a partnership with the Federal Government to expedite the success of the CNG initiative in Nigeria.
“For CNG to succeed there must be a credible partnership between IPMAN and the Petroleum CNG Initiative (PCNGI), without which Nigerians will not have easy access to CNG outlets.”