NNPCL allows major marketers to lift petrol from Dangote Refinery

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has granted major petroleum marketers permission to begin lifting premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This action comes under the existing agreement where NNPCL is the sole distributor of petrol from the refinery.

According to the agreement, the first batch of petrol lifted by NNPCL retail stands at 16.8 million litres. Major marketers, including 11 Plc, have already lifted fuel for distribution to outlets across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

However, independent marketers have been excluded from this arrangement, as confirmed by the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abubakar Garima. Garima stated that only NNPCL has access to Dangote Refinery’s petrol, with no direct arrangement for independent marketers.

While major marketers are lifting petrol, many filling stations, particularly in Abuja and Lagos, remain locked as they await supplies. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed frustration over the situation, calling for Dangote Refinery to open direct sales to them and pushing for complete liberalisation of the sector.

Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, welcomed the development but called for more transparency regarding pricing and the lifting framework.

Meanwhile, a report by BusinessDay, stated that marketers have begun lifting Dangote petrol from the NNPCL at the rate of ₦765.99 per litre.

The report added that some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment processes on the NNPCL’s trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.