…Accuses vested interests of sabotage, promises cheaper, cleaner fuel supply nationwide
The Ɗangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday accused entrenched interests in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector of attempting to sabotage its nationwide rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for fuel distribution.
The refinery, which formally launched its ₦720 billion fleet of 4,000 CNG trucks for direct delivery of petrol nationwide, said its innovation had drawn sustained pushback from marketers determined to protect their monopoly.
“From the outset, certain actors have been intent on undermining our operations, particularly the deployment of CNG-powered trucks. This is a transformative step towards Nigeria’s long-sought goal of energy self-sufficiency,” the company declared.
Last week, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, (DAPPMAN), accused Dangote of misleading Nigerians with claims of free delivery, while the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG), dismissed its direct distribution scheme as a “Greek gift”.
DAPPMAN also alleged that the refinery sells at lower prices to international buyers while quoting higher rates to local off-takers. It further claimed that Ɗangote’s bypassing of marketers was an attempt to monopolise the downstream market.
Ɗangote, however, rejected the allegations as a “face-saving attempt” and recalled that in January 2022, one of DAPPMAN’s members was implicated in the supply of adulterated petrol with over 15 percent methanol – an incident that caused widespread engine damage nationwide, but was never transparently investigated.
The company further explained that it scrapped the Single Point Mooring (SPM) offshore loading system to avoid an additional ₦75 per litre in handling charges, which would have cost Nigeria an estimated ₦1.5 trillion annually. Instead, it opted for gantry loading and direct trucking to reduce logistics costs, ensure product integrity, and pass savings to consumers.
“The CNG fleet represents a patriotic investment, not a monopoly ploy. By cutting out unnecessary middlemen, we can deliver affordable, clean, and reliable fuel to the Nigerian people”, Aliko Ɗangote said during a meeting with the AfricaRice Centre in Lagos.
The refinery said its 4,000 trucks – powered by CNG supplied by local partner Tetracore Energy Group – would significantly reduce logistics costs, lower carbon emissions, and benefit over 42 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by cutting energy expenses.
