The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the exact price at which the Dangote Refinery sells Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
There were high expectations that the introduction of PMS from Dangote Refinery would help curb the rising fuel prices in Nigeria.
However, this has not been the case since the refinery began distributing petrol in the country. Instead, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has assumed the role of intermediary, purchasing from Dangote and reselling to other retailers.
During an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast program The Morning Brief on Thursday, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harris called for more open communication from Dangote Refinery with retailers and stakeholders in the industry.
“As I speak to you this morning, I don’t know what Dangote’s price is,” said Gillis-Harris. “At this point in Dangote’s entry into Nigeria’s market, retail outlet owners like us should know how much Dangote is willing to sell to us. But this has been kept shrouded in secrecy up until now.”
He further highlighted the challenges created by the current situation, saying, “NNPC gave us a price template, but it still doesn’t tell us the exact price input from Dangote.
We encourage Dangote to open up communication, engage all stakeholders, and get valuable input from everyone involved, as this business affects Nigerians, retail outlet owners, marketers, and consumers.”
Gillis-Harris stressed that despite being a private enterprise, transparency is essential for the successful operation of the refinery and the broader petroleum industry in Nigeria. “We need to start seeing the workings of this business,” he concluded.
