The Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has refuted recent assertions by Dangote Refinery that any oil marketers landing petrol at prices lower than the refinery’s are importing substandard products. The refinery alleged that these imports involved collusion with international traders to introduce low-quality fuel into Nigeria.
In a statement released Monday, DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, firmly denied these claims, asserting that its members are committed to ethical practices and serve Nigerians with integrity. “Our members in the downstream petroleum sector are dedicated to adding value, not defrauding the people. They are Nigerians who will not compromise on quality for profit,” Adewole said, emphasizing the commitment of DAPPMAN members to maintaining high standards.
He further explained that global fuel prices fluctuate based on various market dynamics, and DAPPMAN calculates its landing costs transparently, with the pricing templates available to the public. “To suggest that lower landing costs automatically mean low-quality imports is misleading. Import costs reflect market forces, not a compromise on standards,” Adewole stated, questioning Dangote Refinery’s lack of transparency in its pricing structures, which have been kept away from public scrutiny until now.
Adewole also expressed surprise at the refinery’s announcement that it holds a stockpile of 500 million litres of fuel. “If such a reserve exists, marketers should be informed first,” he said, noting the timing of the announcement was curious given recent reports that the refinery was limiting the quantity of fuel available to individual marketers. “If there’s such a substantial stock, why restrict what marketers can access?”
Reaffirming DAPPMAN’s commitment to fair practices, Adewole said, “Our stance is clear: we will continue to operate by the rules, advocating for a level playing field in a transparent and competitive sector free from undue pressure or monopolistic tendencies.”
