The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised concerns about the activities of a new depot operated by an international trading company to mix substandard petroleum products within Nigeria. The depot, situated near the refinery, has been rented with the purpose of blending inferior products that could enter the market and be purchased by unsuspecting consumers.
Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, highlighted this issue in a press release, emphasizing the threat it poses to the nation’s refining industry and public safety. The refinery responded to claims made by various petroleum associations regarding pricing discrepancies between imported fuel and their own products.
Despite assertions by oil marketers regarding the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the refinery denied these claims and alleged collusion with an international company to introduce low-quality products into the market.
The refinery stressed that any marketer selling PMS at a lower price than theirs is likely dealing in substandard products in partnership with international traders to saturate the market with inferior goods. This practice not only undermines the quality of products but also jeopardizes consumer health and vehicle longevity.
Furthermore, the refinery expressed concerns about the lack of a functional laboratory facility within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to detect substandard products. They also clarified their pricing strategy, offering petrol at reduced rates following sector deregulation.
The refinery underscored the importance of protecting local industries, comparing it to practices in other countries like the US and Europe. They reiterated their commitment to providing affordable, high-quality domestically refined petroleum products while urging the public to disregard misinformation aimed at undermining their efforts.