The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) for selling petrol lifted from the Dangote Refinery at a higher price than imported ones.

IPMAN National Welfare Officer, John Kekeocha, expressed his concerns on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme on Monday. “If NNPC can sell Dangote products higher than the imported products, then it doesn’t make sense. What is the celebration we are having all these while then?” Kekeocha questioned.

The controversy surrounds the pricing of petrol from the Dangote Refinery, with NNPC Limited claiming it purchased the product at N898 per litre. However, Dangote Refinery has denied this, describing the claim as “misleading and mischievous.”

Anthony Chiejina, spokesman for the refinery, clarified that the products were sold to NNPC Limited in dollars, resulting in significant savings compared to imported petrol. “With this action, there will be petrol in every local government area of the country regardless of their remote nature,” Chiejina stated.

NNPC Limited has insisted on its pricing, releasing a breakdown of the prices at its filling stations across the country. The prices range from N950 per litre in Lagos to N1,019 per litre in Borno.

The Dangote Refinery, which commenced operations in December 2023, has a production capacity of 350,000 barrels per day.

This development has sparked concerns among stakeholders, with IPMAN calling for transparency and fairness in the pricing of petroleum products.

The controversy raises questions about the benefits of local refining and the impact on consumers.

StreetReporters.ng