The much-anticipated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol from Dangote Refinery, is set to hit the Nigerian market by Sunday, 15th September.
According to inside sources quoted by Businessday, the refinery, located in Lagos State, is set to commence the distribution of its refined petrol to marketers across Nigeria.
To ensure a smooth transition, marketers have been instructed to start sending their trucks to the refinery today (Friday) to facilitate the lifting process. The move is expected to significantly boost the country’s fuel supply, reduce dependence on imported fuel, and alleviate the challenges faced by consumers.
According to the sources that the price of petrol in the market would not change yet despite the expected introduction of PMS from Dangote Refinery with the initial daily allocation of 25 million litres, set to be delivered through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Trading Limited.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN) has expressed readiness to buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from Dangote Refinery, provided the price is lower than what is currently available to them.
IPMAN president, Abubakar Maigandi, said his members are ready to patronize Dangote fuel but are currently not aware of the price of petrol from the refinery.
He outlined that they would be having a meeting with Dangote Refinery, adding that they have no reason to boycott products from the facility, particularly if it eventually turns out that its prices are lower.
He said, “After a meeting with our members today (Thursday), we are ready to buy Petrol from Dangote Refinery in any condition provided the price is not more than the price we are getting from other places.
“NNPCL, you know they are the sole importer, the company sells to us at an average price of N875 per liter.
“For the NNPCL product, we sell at N930 or N940 depending on how the product was obtained. While at the depot, we buy at N990 per liter. We are marketers, anywhere we can get it at a lower rate, we will go there.
“In the letter to us, Dangote said the PMS is ready. The price was not stated.
“We can’t boycott Dangote Refinery; if Dangote Refinery’s petrol is cheaper, how can marketers boycott the product?
“We don’t have any issue with Dangote Refinery.”