Focus on supplying petrol from refineries, oil marketers tell NNPC, Dangote

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the delivery of petroleum products from all refineries should be prioritised.

Speaking to TheCable on Tuesday, Billy Gillis-Harry, president of the association, said members of PETROAN are expecting petrol supply from the Dangote refinery as well as the Port Harcourt refinery. 

He spoke on the back of new announcements that the Port Harcourt refinery and the Dangote refinery would start operations and commence petrol supply, respectively, in August. 

In June, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, had said due to a minor delay, the refinery would commence petrol supply in July. 

This was after the organisation announced that production would begin in June.

On July 14, the Dangote refinery said it will now commence petrol supply in August. 

Also, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited announced the completion of the mechanical rehabilitation on a section of Port Harcourt refinery on December 21, 2023 — assuring that operations would commence after the Christmas break.

The NNPC later shifted the commencement of operations to April 2024.

On July 15, Mele Kyari, NNPC’s group chief executive officer (GCEO), said the Port Harcourt refinery would begin operations in early August. 

Speaking on the shift in timelines,  Gillis-Harry said so many promises have not been fulfilled. 

“Again, I would advise that time for delivery of petroleum products from all the refineries should be focused on getting the job done and surprising the populace — instead of keeping Nigerians on hold, saying they will deliver products at particular periods,” he said.

“That really should not be the way to go. The way to go now is that there are so many promises that have not been kept. Of course, that will be depressing for many people who are looking forward to that. 

“My advice is that whether it is a Dangote, or it is a Port Harcourt refinery, delivery time should be kept until the parting of the show.”

DANGOTE REFINERY AND MARKETERS

Speaking further, Gillis-Harry said the association has been given an allocation to purchase petroleum products from the Dangote refinery.

“Immediately they (the refinery) started, PETROAN was given an allocation,” he said.

“We are very much available to partner with them. The only challenges we have is that when prices are revealed and business modalities are not suitable for members, responses will be slow. 

“Otherwise, we have a very good working relationship with the leadership of Dangote. We are expectant of the supply.”

When asked about the price of petrol from the refinery, Gillis-Harry said he is cautious about giving any price projection because the Dangote refinery is a business and has rules.