Petroleum marketers have accused the Dangote Refinery of withholding fuel supplies despite making full payments weeks ago, a situation they say has created financial strain and disrupted distribution.
Some marketers told The PUNCH that they paid for millions of litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) but have not been able to load their trucks since. They alleged that the refinery recently changed its supply policy, cutting down allocations and increasing the ex-depot price from ₦820 to ₦877 per litre.
“It’s frustrating — we paid two weeks ago and still haven’t been allowed to load,” one marketer complained. “It seems only a few preferred distributors are getting products, while others who paid earlier are being sidelined.”
Another marketer said the delays have left many operators in debt, as they had borrowed heavily from banks to finance their purchases.
In response, the refinery’s Vice President, Devakumar Edwin, dismissed the claims, insisting the facility has enough fuel and is fully operational. During a recent media tour, he stated that the refinery has over 310 million litres of petrol in storage and continues to produce daily.
“Let them bring their tankers — we’ll load them. We have the capacity and the product,” Edwin said.
But the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) disagreed, saying the refinery must first fulfil existing orders before making such challenges.
IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, said some marketers have been waiting for weeks to load their consignments. “Many of our members paid nearly a month ago and their trucks are still parked, waiting,” he said.
The dispute comes amid a fresh rise in petrol prices across the country, with pump prices climbing from around ₦865 to nearly ₦1,000 per litre. The hike has puzzled consumers, as both crude oil prices and the exchange rate have remained relatively stable.
Refinery partners and major marketers such as MRS and Heyden now sell petrol between ₦923 and ₦925 per litre, while NNPC retail outlets are dispensing at ₦928.
IPMAN warned that the continued delay in product loading and the recent price hike could push independent marketers into financial difficulties and worsen the cost burden on consumers.
The Dangote Refinery, which is Africa’s largest, has not yet commented on the fresh allegations.
