The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has ruled out suspending its planned free fuel distribution, insisting that recent criticisms from industry unions were designed to derail the initiative.
In a statement issued last night, the refinery dismissed the objections raised by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) as “illegitimate and self-serving.”
“Their threats are not about unionisation or national interest,” the company declared. “They are part of an orchestrated campaign of economic sabotage by vested groups threatened by our progress.”
Dangote Refutes DAPPMAN’s Claims
Dangote accused DAPPMAN of deliberately misleading Nigerians in its weekend press release. It recalled how, in 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) confirmed that petrol supplied by one of DAPPMAN’s members contained more than 15% methanol—well above safe industry standards. The contamination, Dangote said, damaged thousands of vehicles nationwide, yet no transparent investigation followed.
Togo Price Comparison Dismissed
The refinery also faulted claims that petrol sells cheaper in Togo. It noted that the average pump price in Lomé stands at 680 CFA francs per litre (₦1,826)—significantly higher than in Nigeria.
“This is exactly the model DAPPMAN appears to promote for Nigeria,” the refinery said. “By contrast, our operations make Nigeria the leading source of affordable petrol for West Africa.”
Affordable Supply Despite Imported Crude
The refinery emphasized that, despite importing more than 60% of the crude it processes, it still delivers petrol at a price below international benchmarks. Dangote described this as evidence of its commitment to providing cheaper fuel and ensuring regional supply stability.
