We want to work with Dangote, but we are also not going to keep losing money because the bottom line is that we are in business
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) refineries are not producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). According to DAPPMAN Executive Secretary Olufemi Adewole, the revamped Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are currently producing naphtha, not petrol.
“Our members will not go to them for now. We are willing to buy from Dangote Refinery, but if we don’t get the product locally, the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) allows us to import,” Adewole said.
Depot owners are requesting direct access to load vessels from the Dangote facility, but the refinery is selectively supplying marketers through its gantry. Meanwhile, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye claims blending with Indorama Petrochemicals is standard and output will soon hit 90%.
However, official data revealed the Port Harcourt refinery was running below 40% capacity, while Warri has been shut since January 25. Depot-level PMS prices have increased by up to N10 per litre.