The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has confirmed that petroleum marketers have temporarily suspended the loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the refinery’s halt in fuel loading operations.
The development was disclosed by the Western Zonal Chairman of IPMAN, Mr. Oyewole Akanni, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Akanni explained that the suspension of petrol loading at the refinery’s gantry has forced marketers to source products from private depots, where prices are significantly higher.
According to him, the uncertainty surrounding the price of petrol has also prompted many marketers to suspend fresh purchases, leading to the temporary closure of some filling stations.
“The non-availability of fuel at some filling stations and the closure of others are due to fluctuations in the price of lifting fuel from depots,” he said.
He noted that since the Dangote refinery suspended the sale of petrol about four days ago, private depot operators have increased their prices, leaving many marketers uncertain about whether to buy products at the current rates.
“Many filling stations that have exhausted their stock are waiting to see whether prices will come down when Dangote refinery resumes sales or increase further,” Akanni added.
Despite the disruption, the IPMAN official maintained that Nigeria was not experiencing fuel scarcity and urged motorists to remain calm and avoid panic buying.
“There is no fuel scarcity. Members of the public should not panic,” he said, while cautioning that pump prices could rise if the situation persists.
Akanni disclosed that the Dangote refinery neither gave marketers prior notice nor provided any explanation for the suspension of petrol loading operations.
He revealed that four truckloads of petrol meant for his filling stations had remained at the refinery since the suspension began.
“I was supposed to have received four truckloads of PMS since four days ago, but that has not happened because the trucks are at the Dangote refinery, which has not been selling,” he said.
“The company is not even loading its own trucks. They are all parked there.”
Akanni further stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has also been affected by the development, noting that the national oil company sources petroleum products from the Dangote refinery.
The temporary suspension has heightened concerns among marketers over fuel pricing, although industry stakeholders insist there is currently no nationwide shortage of petrol.
