The Dangote Petroleum Refinery says certain actors are undermining its deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for the distribution of fuel.
On September 11, the refinery said it will commence free direct supply of petrol across the country on September 15
The next day, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) said the free petrol distribution announced by the Dangote refinery is a “Greek gift”.
On September 13, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) said the claim that the refinery offers “free delivery” was misleading as “marketers are required to lift at least 25 percent of their allocations directly from the refinery gantry”.
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Addressing the criticism that trailed the company’s plan to distribute its products in an advertorial in Nigerian dallies on Sunday, Dangote refinery said recent events and remarks show that the actions and threats from certain groups in the oil and gas sector are not driven by genuine concerns about unionisation.
“Rather, they constitute a calculated campaign of economic sabotage, orchestrated by vested interests who perceived progress as a threat to their entrenched positions,” the statement reads.
“From the outset, it has been evident that certain actors are intent on undermining the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, particularly the planned deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks for the distribution of fuel.
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“This innovation has been widely recognised as a transformative step towards Nigeria’s long-sought goal of energy self-sufficiency.”
The refiner said it was not surprised by the disingenuous intervention of the DAPPMAN, calling it a face-saving attempt to divert attention from the real issues.
Furthermore, Dangote refinery said DAPPMAN’s claims about the quality of its imported petroleum products are contradicted by established facts.
“In January 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) reported that one of DAPPMAN’s members had supplied petrol containing over 15% methanol, well above acceptable limits (Methanol is not standard in refinery practice, but some blenders use it to artificially raise octane levels beyond the anti-knock threshold, a questionable and unsafe approach),” the refinery said.
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“The result was widespread engine damage for thousands of end users. Yet, no transparent government inquiry or independent investigation was ever conducted to determine the source, intent, or full impact of the adulterated fuel.”
‘CONSPIRACIES SURROUND CERTIFICATION OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS INTO NIGERIA’
Dangote refinery also alleged that there are numerous conspiracies surrounding the certification of petroleum products imported into Nigeria.
“The so-called certificates of quality, if subjected to an independent forensic audit, would not match up to industry standard which forms the basis for actual pricing template of the products,” the refinery said.
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“DAPPMAN also contends that the Dangote Refinery supplies only 35% of national demand. Unfortunately, the regulators have failed to publish transparent or independent audited daily consumptions data, or to implement equalisation levies per litre.
“Without accurate figures, effective planning and fair quota allocation as required under Sections 317(7) and (8) of the PIA remain elusive. An independent forensic audit is urgently required.”
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The plant added that the latest narrative “around unionisation is merely a cheap ploy, an act of desperation by a group resisting reform”.
The refinery also said it was incorrect to claim that the price of petrol in Togo was lower than in Nigeria.
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“A straightforward check reveals that the average pump price in Lomé stands at approximately 680 CFA francs per litre, equivalent to N1,826,” the plant said.
“This figure reflects the very scenario that DAPPMAN and its affiliates appear to advocate for in Nigeria.
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“The Dangote refinery said it has positioned Nigeria as a primary source of affordable petrol feedstock for West Africa, despite the refinery importing over 60 percent of the crude oil processes.”
The refinery said it is increasingly evident that DAPPMAN and some of its members are “disproportionately focused on the importation of refined products”.
On September 9, NUPENG suspended its strike action, in protest against Dangote refinery’s alleged anti-union practices – but threatened another industrial action two days later.
