Uche Cecil Izuora
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has given the Dangote Petroleum Refinery a seven-day ultimatum to either withdraw its allegations of fuel smuggling or provide concrete evidence to back the claims.
In a statement released on September 15, the association described Dangote’s accusations as “misleading, factually incorrect, and harmful to Nigeria’s downstream sector.” DAPPMAN argued that such claims not only distort market realities but also undermine regulatory bodies and encourage monopoly.
Dangote had alleged that some marketers were diverting petroleum products to neighbouring countries. But DAPPMAN dismissed the charge, insisting that only Customs and security agencies have the mandate to investigate such matters.
“We issue a seven-day ultimatum to the refinery to either retract this allegation or provide documented proof. If neither occurs, we will seek legal redress,” the statement read.
The marketers also rejected Dangote’s suggestion that they were behind a planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (NUPENG). According to them, unions such as NUPENG, NARTO, MEMAN, and IPMAN act independently and are not influenced by DAPPMAN.
DAPPMAN argued that recent cuts in petrol prices were due to wider economic factors, not Dangote’s refinery. These include a stronger naira, falling crude oil prices, and improved foreign exchange liquidity under the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The group defended Nigeria’s refined fuel exports to West Africa, saying they reflect an open market. It dismissed Dangote’s claim that marketers engage in “round-tripping” by re-importing products through Togo, explaining that Offshore Lome is a trading hub, not a blending site.
DAPPMAN further accused Dangote of double standards, alleging the refinery offers foreign buyers discounts of over $40/MT while restricting Nigerian marketers.
On fuel standards, the association said Dangote itself sought approval from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to distribute petrol with sulphur levels above legal limits. It stressed that only the NMDPRA has the authority to track supply volumes, not individual refineries.
DAPPMAN also raised alarm over Dangote’s plan to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks, warning of road safety risks. It accused the conglomerate of a “history of fatal accidents” involving poorly trained drivers, adding that more trucks could worsen congestion on the Lekki–Epe Expressway.
The marketers insisted they are not opposed to competition but want a level playing field. They warned against rhetoric that undermines regulators and could derail President Bola Tinubu’s deregulation reforms.