The national leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, on Sunday, distanced itself from the strike announced by its Western Zone, which is protesting against Dangote Industries Limited’s decision to deploy its own trucks for fuel distribution.
The disagreement within IPMAN comes at a time when the downstream oil sector is undergoing significant transformation following the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery.
PUNCH Online reports that the $20 billion facility, located in Lagos, is Africa’s largest oil refinery and is expected to meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel needs, potentially ending the country’s decades-long reliance on imported petroleum products.
In a statement signed by IPMAN National Ex-Officio, Douglas Iyike, on Sunday, on behalf of the National Executive Council, the association urged members nationwide to disregard the strike directive and continue normal operations.
Iyike explained that the decision by Dangote to transport products with its own trucks aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act, noting that it would ease the financial burden on marketers who face multiple levies from petroleum tanker drivers.
He said, “I am refuting this story as the former chairman of IPMAN Benin Depot and presently the National Ex-Officio of IPMAN. The IPMAN National Executive Council, under the leadership of Alhaji Maigandi Shittima, is not aware of such preconceived action by the IPMAN Western Zone to make such a pronouncement of going on strike by Monday.
“As you would know, the PIA has given room for any individual to own a refinery in the country. That person can also own trucks, distribute the products, and build petrol stations to dispense them. Dangote has not done any harm but good to the marketers and the general public.
“I want to state clearly that the IPMAN Western Zone has no impetus to call for any strike as it lacks the constitutional powers to do so. It is only the NEC of IPMAN that has the right to take such a decision, not any zone or depot.”
Iyike maintained that the Dangote Refinery would benefit marketers by allowing them to obtain products on credit and pay after sales, which would boost business growth.
“IPMAN nationwide is solidly behind Dangote Refinery, and we will not allow a few individuals to truncate this development in the downstream sector. The level of enormous levies on marketers before getting their products to their outlets will soon be a thing of the past,” he added.
The Western Zone of IPMAN had argued that Dangote’s decision to transport refined products with its own trucks was against the spirit of the PIA and could sideline petroleum tanker drivers.
However, the NEC insists that the move is fully legal under the PIA, which allows private investors to refine, distribute, and retail petroleum products.
The refinery’s direct-to-market model could reduce the cost of distribution, lower pump prices, and minimise supply disruptions caused by union strikes.
IPMAN’s support for Dangote signals an alignment between marketers and the refinery, aimed at stabilising fuel supply chains and improving profitability for independent filling stations.
