The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) is not in conflict with Dangote Refinery, but seeking partnership to provide marketers with fair access to petroleum products at reasonable prices.
Ikem Ohia, the Spokesman for DAPPMAN, said this on Wednesday on “Morning Brief” programme on Channels Television.
He denied reports of conflicts between Dangote Refinery and the association.
The DAPPMAN official explained that the association just wanted a collaboration that would ensure stable supply of petroleum products across the country at fair price.
“Our key interest is to have petroleum products offered at reasonable prices consistently, in a way that there’s no stock-out and Nigerians no longer queue for fuel,” he said.
He said Dangote is currently a dormant supplier that would need available depots across the country to distribute its products.
“What we are asking Dangote to do is to use these depots that are already in existence for us to meet the demands of Nigerians,” he said.
Ohia said DAPPMAN never requested for subsidies from Dangote, but purely a commercial interest.
“The question is: at what price does he offer us, and do we actually have access to purchase these products from him?” he said.
“We are businessmen; he is a businessman. We’re not asking for subsidies.
“We went into negotiations and are still negotiating to see how he can bridge the gap,” he said.
Ohia said refineries across the world supply through two models – wholesale bulk lifting by vessels and ex-gantry retail sales.
“Ideally, refineries emphasise bulk evacuation through off-takers who can lift massive quantities and allow continuous production.
“Relying only on retail gantry sales cannot meet national demand,” he said.
DAPPMAN official said his association had reached out to Dangote Refinery before production started, seeking collaboration to take products in bulk, but understanding has yet to be firmly reached.
“Instead, he prefers to work with a few selected partners, which includes one or two of our members.
“We believe an open system, not a controlled one, will help the country,” he said.
Source – Channel Television
(vitalnewsngr.com)
