The President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), Abubakar Maigandi, says Dangote Petroleum Refinery has agreed to supply fuel to about 150,000 retail outlets operated by its members nationwide.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the president said the agreement was reached during a meeting between the management of the refinery and executives of IPMAN.
“The meeting went well, so right now we are just expecting their reply in terms of products that they are going to give us. They have agreed to dispense products to IPMAN members. The management of the plant would be supplying products to the 150,000 stations of IPMAN nationwide.
“We have 30,000 members as of our last census, which was done two years ago. And they agreed to supply products to us. Also, our retail outlets are 150,000 stations across the country.
On whether he believes that Dangote will keep its promise to get the products to the market in January, the IPMAN President stated that there was hope.
“There is hope since they have started production. I believe when they finish production, the next thing is to sell. I can confirm this because I was there myself. And I know immediately he gets approval to sell, he can start selling at any time.
“So it is not a small project. It is a very good thing for Nigeria. They are to start with aviation fuel and diesel. You know that independent petroleum marketers also buy diesel.
“Therefore by God’s grace, our 30,000 members are ready to buy and distribute across the 150,000 retail outlets nationwide. So anywhere you go you will see fuel. The issue of scarcity of fuel will be no more once he (Dangote) starts,” Maigandi stated.
On whether IPMAN discussed pricing with the management of the refinery, he said, “No we didn’t discuss the price, but all that we know is that the price is going to be a little bit lower than what we have been selling.”
