The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed strong support for the Dangote Refinery’s newly announced initiative to distribute petrol and diesel free of charge to marketers nationwide.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, praised billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote for proactively addressing challenges within the oil and gas sector.
“If you carefully read the Dangote statement, you’ll see it’s a bold policy move. He has clearly anticipated many of the problems in the industry and is taking decisive action to resolve them,” Ukadike said. “This is a development we welcome wholeheartedly because it means fuel will be delivered cheaper, right to our doorsteps.”
Beyond easing fuel access across the country, Ukadike emphasized that Dangote’s plan would significantly reduce costs for independent marketers. He highlighted the longstanding neglect of pipeline infrastructure, which has forced marketers to bear the high expense of transporting products from coastal tank farms.
“Our pipelines have been idle for years, yet nobody talks about it. We’re currently suffering the burden of moving products from the seaports where DAPMAN members’ tank farms are located,” he explained. “Dangote’s initiative lifts a heavy logistical load off the backs of independent marketers.”
The Dangote Refinery unveiled the initiative on Sunday, revealing that 4,000 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers will be deployed for the scheme, set to launch on August 15, 2025.
However, the plan has met criticism from some oil marketers represented by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), who argue it could disadvantage depot owners, truck operators, and retail outlets with existing special supply deals to large corporations and multinationals.
Ukadike countered these concerns, asserting that as a refinery, Dangote has the prerogative to develop more efficient distribution channels to reach marketers.
“Dangote is within his rights to innovate better ways to deliver products directly to marketers,” he said, reaffirming IPMAN’s support for the refinery’s approach.
