The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has stated that its members can only source Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) refineries are not producing petrol at optimal levels.
DAPPMAN Executive Secretary Olufemi Adewole said on Sunday, “The NNPC refineries, both the revamped Port Harcourt and Warri, are not yet optimally producing PMS; they are producing naphtha. Our members will not go to them for now.”
He added that the Dangote refinery is the sole viable local petrol supplier but noted challenges with bulk sales. “Dangote refinery prefers a selective approach that chooses a few marketers and deals through them, and it prefers the gantry supply. But we are depot owners. We pick in bulk. We are picking 15 – 25 metric tonnes.”
Adewole said importation would be considered only if local supply is unavailable. “The PIA allows us to import which is what we’ll go for,” he said.
He urged increased domestic petrol production and said depot owners prefer buying locally. “It is not the primary will of the depot owners to import; we would rather buy locally and sell to Nigerians, but the opportunities are limited.”
Negotiations are ongoing with Dangote refinery to secure favorable prices and supply terms. “We want a situation in which we can pick from the refinery at the best possible price without being shortchanged,” Adewole said.
NNPC’s Port Harcourt refinery resumed operations in November 2024 at 70% capacity, mainly producing diesel and fuel oil, with petrol output blended from naphtha. However, recent reports indicate the refinery is operating below 40% capacity, and the Warri refinery remains shut due to safety issues.
