The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to extend its direct supply of petroleum products to more states, particularly those in northern Nigeria, to help achieve more uniform pump prices across the country.
IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, made the appeal in a voice note released to journalists in Abuja over the weekend.
Ukadike commended the management of the Dangote Refinery for extending its free petroleum product distribution initiative to Imo, Anambra and other states, saying the move would help ease the financial burden on independent petroleum marketers and consumers.
“We want to commend the management of Dangote Refinery for making this possible, and we are also appealing to them to extend it further to other states, especially those in the northern areas, so that petroleum products will be bought uniformly,” he said.
According to him, broader distribution of products directly to more states would help reduce the hardship faced by Nigerians and contribute to lower pump prices.
Ukadike explained that the initiative had also addressed some of the challenges independent marketers face, particularly delays between payment for petroleum products and the eventual loading of their orders.
He said marketers often had their funds tied down for days or weeks while waiting for products, creating additional financial pressure and operational difficulties.
“This gesture, if sustained, will be able to alleviate the sufferings of independent marketers,” Ukadike said.
He added that Dangote Refinery’s distribution model had made it easier for marketers to access products closer to their areas of operation, reducing haulage risks and allowing them to recover their investments more quickly.
“This time around, Dangote has made it very, very easy for marketers. Marketers are jubilating, and you will see the return on investment as an independent marketer. Your money will not be tied down,” he said.
Ukadike further noted that reduced transportation risks and improved access to petroleum products could translate into lower retail prices for consumers.
“You also have less risk, and you have petroleum products at your doorstep. Other consumers will also see that our pump price will not continue to go up. The more Dangote brings down its pump price, the more independent marketers will bring down theirs,” he said.
The IPMAN spokesman described the development as a demonstration of the benefits of deregulation and competition in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
“This is the beauty of deregulation and competition,” he said.
The call comes as the Dangote Refinery continues its free petrol distribution initiative across selected states, with the scheme recently extended to Imo and Anambra.
IPMAN members expressed optimism that expanding the initiative to more parts of the country, particularly northern states, would help reduce regional price disparities, ease the operational burden on marketers and make petroleum products more affordable for consumers.
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