The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has denied receiving any payment from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.
Dangote set the record straight on Thursday night via a statement signed by Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.
Chiejina clarified that although, discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, as they currently have no direct business dealings with them.
Consequently, he said that Dangote cannot be held responsible for any payments made to other entities.
“The payment in mention has been made through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not us. In the same vein, NNPCL has neither approved, nor authorised us to release our Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to IPMAN,” Chiejina explained.
He, however, said that Dangote would like to emphasise that they can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel.
Chiejina said at present, the company can load 2,900 trucks per day and has also been evacuating petroleum products by sea.
He thereafter advised IPMAN to register with Dangote and make direct payment as they have more than enough petroleum products to satisfy the needs of their members.
“Furthermore, we believe it is instructive for all stakeholders to refrain from making unfounded statements in the media, as that could undermine the economic re-engineering efforts of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Chiejina said, warning that conducting business through public speculation is counterproductive and unpatriotic.
“In the interest of our country, we encourage all stakeholders to collaborate and heed the advice of President Tinubu, while promoting a unified approach, rather than engaging in media conflicts and needless propaganda.”
