Nigeria’s petroleum industry is experiencing a turnaround with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery officially commencing operations. This is highly significant in the country’s downstream sector considering the recent stress around fuel scarcity.
The Dangote refinery management recently held a meeting with executives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), solidifying an agreement that will see Dangote supplying fuel to approximately 150,000 retail outlets operated by IPMAN nationwide.
According to the president of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, the meeting was fruitful, and the Dangote refinery management has noted its dedication to providing products to IPMAN members across the country. IPMAN, with a membership base of 30,000 oil marketers as of its last census two years ago, operates a vast network of 150,000 retail outlets.
“The meeting went well, so right now we are just expecting their reply in terms of products that they are going to give us. They have agreed to dispense products to IPMAN members,” Maigandi stated.
Addressing the potential scope of supply, the IPMAN President emphasized that Dangote’s production is intended for Nigeria’s consumption. While the refinery has the capacity to export some products, its primary focus is meeting the domestic demand. The refinery, described as massive by IPMAN officials who visited the facility, is set to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply landscape.
On the timeline for bringing the products to market, the IPMAN President asserted optimism, citing his personal visit to the refinery. He affirmed that, with production underway, the next step is selling, and once approval is granted, Dangote can start distribution promptly.
The Dangote refinery’s commendable approach involves commencing production with aviation fuel and diesel, which aligns with the needs of independent petroleum marketers who are prominent buyers of diesel. The IPMAN President emphasised that the organisation’s 30,000 members are ready to purchase and distribute products across their extensive retail outlets nationwide.
While the meeting did not delve into pricing details, the IPMAN President hinted that the fuel price from Dangote would likely be lower than current market rates. This positive outlook, coupled with the promise of enhanced availability, has raised expectations that fuel scarcity issues may significantly diminish with the operationalisation of Dangote’s refinery.
Additionally, as the Dangote refinery kickstarts operations, downstream sector dynamics are expected to undergo an epic change. Marketers are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of the pricing template, and questions linger on whether transactions will be conducted in Naira or dollars. The refinery’s presence is set to phase out the need for extensive tank farms and storage facilities, as marketers can efficiently lift products with their trucks within a short period.
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