The allegations were confirmed by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, in separate interviews with journalists.

The controversy comes as Dangote Refinery sets to slash petrol prices from N865 to N841 per litre in Lagos and the South-West, and to N851 in Abuja, Edo, and Kwara, as it prepares to launch its direct fuel distribution scheme.

DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, said Nigerian marketers have been sidelined despite efforts to purchase directly from the refinery. He claimed some members had been forced to buy fuel from international traders in Lomé, Togo, who themselves sourced the product from Dangote at cheaper rates.

“Dangote is selling to international traders at N65 cheaper than what he is selling to us,” Adewole said. “Some of our members have bought from those traders and still brought it back to Nigeria. That tells you something.”

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He added that despite compiling and submitting the group’s fuel volume requirements to Dangote on two occasions, they have not been granted access to purchase, or have been offered unfavourable conditions.

DAPPMAN also criticized the refinery’s pricing strategy, calling the proposed price reduction a move to stifle competition, especially when importers bring in their own cargo.

Source: Punch