Don't blame us for payments via third party, Dangote Refinery fires back at IPMAN

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has insisted that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) should register directly with it and stop paying for its petroleum products through third-parties.

Indeed, IPMAN had accused Dangote Refinery on the challenges of loading petrol from the refinery in Lagos despite having paid ₦40 billion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

A statement by the Dangote Refinery titled IPMAN: Setting the Record Straight by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, on Thursday, said it was yet to receive any payments from IPMAN to purchase refined petroleum products.

The statement said discussions were ongoing with IPMAN though, however, it would be wrong to suggest that they (IPMAN members) were experiencing difficulties loading refined products from its refinery, as they currently have no direct business dealings with IPMAN.

The company absolved itself for liability of any payments made to other parties, as the ones made through NNPCL, and not Dangote Refinery.

It stated that NNPCL has neither approved nor authorised the company to release its petrol to IPMAN.

The statement reads, “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify that it has not received any payments from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to purchase refined petroleum products.

“Although discussions are ongoing with IPMAN, it is misleading to suggest that they (IPMAN Members) are experiencing difficulties loading refined products from our Petroleum Refinery, as we currently have no direct business dealings with them.

“Consequently, we 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.

“We would like to emphasise that we can meet the nation’s demand for all petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. At present, we can load 2,900 trucks per day and we have also been evacuating petroleum products by sea.

“We advise IPMAN to register with us and make direct payment as we 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.

“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”.