The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has expressed confidence that petrol prices will significantly drop once oil marketers begin lifting products directly from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Chinedu Ukadike, the IPMAN spokesperson, shared this during an interview, following the federal government’s directive that the Dangote Refinery will exclusively sell petrol to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), requiring other marketers to purchase from the national oil firm.

Ukadike revealed that IPMAN is already in discussions with the Dangote Refinery to establish a direct lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol. “We have written to Dangote, and he has also replied to us, showing readiness for discussions. We are hopeful that this engagement will be fruitful, and whatever comes out of it will be made public,” he stated.

He emphasized that the current perception of independent marketers as profit-driven entities is misplaced, adding that IPMAN is committed to ensuring affordability for consumers. According to Ukadike, the collaboration with Dangote will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles in petrol distribution and cut down unnecessary price hikes.

He further highlighted that with the anticipated reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery, IPMAN aims to lift products directly from refineries, thereby reducing the multiple distribution tiers that inflate prices. “We want to take our products directly so that we can cut off all this unnecessary hiking of prices. That’s what we are advocating for,” Ukadike concluded.