DAPPMAN, NUPENG Refute Dangote’s Sabotage Allegations Amid Petrol Price Row
The face-off between Africa’s largest refinery and downstream operators has deepened, with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) rejecting claims by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery that oil cartels and vested industry groups are working to sabotage its operations.
In recent days, Dangote Refinery raised the alarm over what it described as coordinated efforts to undermine its business and frustrate its plans to stabilize fuel supply in Nigeria.
The company accused certain marketers and importers of inflating the nation’s petrol consumption figures to justify subsidies and profits, distributing substandard products, and resisting measures such as its rollout of CNG-powered trucks that could cut costs and improve efficiency.
Dangote further alleged that entrenched interests are threatened by its recent decision to slash petrol prices, a move it said was intended to ease pressure on consumers.
But in a swift response, DAPPMAN dismissed the accusations, insisting its members have not engaged in sabotage or fraud.
The group argued that Dangote’s price cuts, though attractive to motorists, were timed in a way that destabilizes the market — often announced when other marketers already have imported cargoes in transit or stock in storage, leading to financial losses and business uncertainty.
DAPPMAN also accused the refinery of offering more favorable supply terms to foreign buyers than to Nigerian operators, a charge Dangote denies.
On the issue of quality, the association rejected suggestions that its members have been importing substandard fuel, stressing that all imported products pass through regulatory testing under the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The refinery, however, maintains that powerful players in the sector prefer to sustain the status quo, which allows them to profit from inflated import bills, fraudulent subsidy claims, and fuel equalisation schemes.
It has also called for greater transparency in the management of petrol consumption data, which it says is often exaggerated.
The war of words highlights the tension in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector, where Dangote’s entry as a domestic producer is disrupting decades-old structures dominated by importers.
Industry analysts warn that while cheaper pump prices are welcome, a clash between the refinery and entrenched marketers could unsettle supply chains and create fresh uncertainty for consumers.
Government regulators are yet to fully arbitrate between the parties, but observers say independent audits of consumption figures, product quality, and pricing strategies may be necessary to resolve the controversy and restore confidence in the sector.
