PETROAN: We have nothing against Dangote Petroleum Refinery over allegation of monopoly

*Gilli Billis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, clarifies the Association’s recent allegation of anti-competition moves against Dangote Petroleum Refinery, noting the oil marketers ‘will buy petroleum products from the local facility, if all market indices are fully agreed upon’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Emphasising “there are no gloves that are off”, Nigerian oil marketers have said that they are not up against Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The Association maintained it is ready to purchase refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol from the indigenous oil-refining facility.

Dangote Refinery morning Monday, had disclosed that it sells petrol at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, in comparison with the international selling rates in the global oil market.

The company said its pricing was in comparison with the international selling rate in the global market.

The indigenous refinery as well claimed the oil marketers were complaining about its petrol pricing because they wanted to import substandard products at cheaper rates into Nigeria.

Joseph Obele, Spokesperson of PETROAN, Monday, November 4, in a statement responded and said the Association had even concluded plans with its “foreign refinery counterparts and financial partners” to import the best quality of PMS and then sell far lesser than the present selling rate of PMS in Nigeria.

Obele stated: “We planned to enter the market before December 2024, pending the approval of our import permit license by the regulatory agency and access to foreign exchange from CBN at the official rate.”

PETROAN Spokesman also stated Dangote Refinery’s recent accusation of importing substandard products at cheaper rates is “his usual gimmick for maintaining monopoly.”

The oil marketers also said energy consumers get the best value for pricing when competition is at its peak, hence competition should be encouraged in the downstream petroleum industry in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect reports Gilli Billis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), however, clarified the Association’s position on patronage of Dangote Refinery, in an interview aired on Changes TV Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and monitored in Lagos.

Billis-Harry said the oil marketers would buy petroleum products from the local facility, if all market indices were fully agreed upon.

Billy-Harry also disclosed that marketers will be holding a meeting with Dangote Refinery this week, to firm up discussions and arrangements on the possibilities of a smooth working relationship.

‘Dangote is one of us, we’ve never removed our gloves’

The President of PETROAN stated: “There are no gloves that are off. What it is right now is that PETROAN among other stakeholders that is patriotic and willing to serve Nigeria in the best way will not at any time be denigrated.

“We have never removed our gloves. Dangote is one of us. We love the fact that he has made this kind of sacrifice in Nigeria. We are very proud of him.”

Billy-Harry stressed, however, after the pride, “we need to get into business.

“We are surprised that we have been doing business in the airwaves.

“And that is not how this business should be done. We have NNPCL that has been dealing with us, and there are very simple procedures as to how to get this business to work.”

He further stated: “We are letting the true information out in the public space so that everybody will sit and decide what to do.

“We want to patronise Dangote Refinery. We have no reason not to patronise him.”

The clarification comes after PETROAN had accused Dangote Petroleum Refinery of trying to suppress competitors in the downstream sector of the Nigerian economy.