The Dangote Refinery has responded to claims from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) that petrol can be purchased for a lower price elsewhere.
In a press statement released on Sunday, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina stated that the refinery’s prices are based on international market rates and are competitive with imported petrol.
Chiejina accused the competing groups of trying to sell substandard fuel, alleging that they are working with international traders to bring in lower-quality products that could harm both the health of Nigerians and their vehicles.
“If anyone says they can sell petrol cheaper than us, they are bringing in poor-quality products,” he said.
He noted that since the oil sector was deregulated, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has been selling petrol at N971 per litre for ship deliveries and N990 per litre for trucks.
In comparison, the Dangote Refinery offers petrol at N960 per litre for ships and keeps the truck price at N990.
Chiejina also raised concerns about an international trading company that has recently opened a depot near the refinery, claiming it plans to blend low-quality petrol to compete with Dangote's higher standards.
He emphasized the need to protect local refining industries to create jobs and boost the economy, comparing Nigeria’s situation to that of the U.S. and Europe, where tariffs are used to protect domestic businesses.
“We are committed to providing affordable, high-quality petrol in Nigeria.
We should point out that it is not unusual for countries to protect their domestic industries in order to provide jobs and grow the economy. For example, the US and Europe have had to impose high tariffs on EVs and microchips in order to protect their domestic industries.
While we continue with our determination to provide affordable, good quality, domestically refined petroleum product in Nigeria, we call on the public to disregard the deliberate disinformation being circulated by agents of people who prefer for us to continue to export jobs and import poverty". he stated.
