Dangote Petroleum Refinery has responded to the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) by challenging the association to take legal action if it is aggrieved by the refinery’s recent publication on product smuggling. The refinery made this statement after DAPPMAN issued a seven-day ultimatum for Dangote to retract its allegations or face legal action.
DAPPMAN had accused Dangote of implicitly accusing the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), Customs, and border agencies of regulatory failure. The association claimed that Dangote’s statements undermined public confidence in these institutions and posed a threat to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s reform agenda.
However, Dangote Refinery maintained that it would not be intimidated by the ultimatum and is prepared to defend its position through all legitimate means. The refinery alleged that DAPPMAN had demanded an annual subsidy of ₦1.505 trillion to enable its members to match the refinery’s gantry prices at their own depots.
According to Dangote, the marketers are demanding that the refinery discount ₦70/litre in coastal freight, NIMASA, NPA, and other associated costs, as well as ₦5/litre for the cost of pumping into vessels. The refinery stated that it has no intention of increasing its gantry price to accommodate such demands, nor is it willing to pay a subsidy of over ₦1.5 trillion.
The refinery claimed that its refusal to comply with DAPPMAN’s subsidy request is the core reason behind recent public criticisms and attacks. It reiterated that the refinery has sufficient capacity to meet domestic demand and support exports, maintaining a closing stock of 500 million litres of refined products in its tanks each month.
Between June and September, the refinery exported a combined total of 3,229,881 metric tonnes of PMS, AGO, and aviation fuel, while marketers imported 3,687,828 metric tonnes over the same period. The refinery described this action as “dumping,” which is detrimental to the Nigerian economy and the well-being of its citizens.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu, stating that it has helped stabilise the naira, cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, position Nigeria as a refining hub, boost foreign exchange earnings, and create employment opportunities across multiple sectors. The refinery remains open to partnerships with patriotic and responsible stakeholders in pursuit of national development.
