Dangote’s direct fuel distribution will trigger scarcity – Suppliers

Two weeks to the commencement of the distribution of petroleum products by Dangote Refinery, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) has said fuel scarcity might resurface in the country if Dangote is allowed to control the downstream of the petroleum sector. Speaking during its annual general meeting in Abuja, the president of NOGASA, […]

Two weeks to the commencement of the distribution of petroleum products by Dangote Refinery, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Suppliers Association (NOGASA) has said fuel scarcity might resurface in the country if Dangote is allowed to control the downstream of the petroleum sector.

Speaking during its annual general meeting in Abuja, the president of NOGASA, Benneth Korie said the warning became apparent with lack of willingness of Dangote to engage its members on the planned rollout of 4,000 trucks to distribute petroleum products.

Korie, who decried the effect Dangote’s plan would have on its members, said they would eventually down tools to allow Dangote to be the sole refiner, distributor and retailer of the product.

While clarifying that they are not against the success of the Dangote Refinery, he warned that the company is threading the path of downfall that has befallen the four refineries controlled by the NNPCL.

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“We want to plead with Mr President to intervene in this matter by telling Dangote to slow down and go by the rules of the game. Nobody is against the refinery. If there is anybody that supported Dangote Refinery more, it is this organisation.

“What is important to us is that he is blending, the product is coming out and Nigerians are enjoying it today.

“So it is important that you concentrate on this refinery; blend enough for us and sell some to other countries. That way, the job there will be stable and our own here will be stable. We are capable to distribute products. All we need you to do is blend and sell to depot owners and they will go there and buy and distribute to the end users. That way, you balance the system.

“If you have 1,000 members of staff working with you, here, we have 3,000 workers. We have 4,000 Nigerians benefiting from this business. But when you ask the remaining 3,000 people to go home, you have only 1,000. And maybe you have foreigners working there, we don’t know. This will affect the system,” he said.

On his part, the national president of Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, said many Nigerians don’t seem to understand the dynamics of the difficulty Dangote’s foray into petrol distribution would cause.