Extend Petrol Delivery Service To Northern States For Price Uniformity, IPMAN Urges Dangote

Independent petroleum marketers have welcomed Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s decision to deliver petroleum products free to states such as Imo and Anambra, but urged the company to extend the programme to northern states to achieve uniform pump prices and ease widespread operational strain.

National publicity secretary and public relations officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, said the refinery’s delivery policy reduces the financial and logistical burdens that have long dogged independent marketers. By delivering products closer to retailers and removing haulage charges, the initiative shortens waiting times and frees up working capital that would otherwise be tied up for days or weeks.

“Independent marketers often pay for product in advance and then wait days or weeks for loading,” Ukadike said. “That financial ‘hold‑up’ ties up working capital and creates unnecessary hardship. This gesture, if sustained, will alleviate those sufferings.”

According to Ukadike, the shorter delivery cycles mean marketers recover cash faster and can reinvest sooner. He said marketers were “jubilating” because the policy reduces the period funds are locked into inventory and improves return on investment.

Ukadike also pointed to safety and logistical benefits: delivering fuel closer to retail outlets lowers haulage risks and lessens the strain of long‑distance movements. He added that the policy is already exerting downward pressure on retail pump prices.

“You have less risk, and petroleum products at your doorstep. The more Dangote brings down its pump price, the more independent marketers will bring down theirs,” he said.

While commending Dangote’s current rollout, IPMAN urged the refinery to extend free delivery to northern states. Ukadike said broader geographic coverage would promote more uniform pricing across Nigeria and help reduce the economic hardship many Nigerians face from fuel price volatility.

“We are appealing to them to extend it further to other states, especially those in the northern areas, so that petroleum products will be bought uniformly. This will reduce the hardship Nigeria is facing,” he said.

Ukadike framed the development as an example of how deregulation and greater competition in the downstream sector can benefit consumers and small businesses. He said expanding the scheme would further stabilise pump prices and lessen operational difficulties for independent marketers nationwide.

Dangote Refinery has been rolling out a free petrol distribution initiative to selected states to cushion the impact of fuel price fluctuations. The current phase includes Imo and Anambra; IPMAN members and other marketers say extending the programme to the north would increase its nationwide stabilising effect.