Marketers Begin Free Fuel Delivery From Dangote Refinery

Independent petroleum marketers have confirmed that Dangote Refinery has commenced free delivery of fuel to their stations through its newly rolled-out fleet of compressed natural gas-powered trucks.

The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Shettima, disclosed this development on Friday, noting that marketers across Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and parts of Oyo State have already taken delivery.

Dangote Refinery had earlier announced the rollout of 1,000 CNG trucks, with a target of 4,000 before October, to ease petroleum product distribution across the country. The initiative, initially billed to begin in mid-August, was delayed due to logistics hitches in China, where the trucks were assembled.

Shettima explained that only marketers registered on the Dangote portal can benefit from the free delivery system. He, however, emphasised that registration remains open and straightforward for interested operators.

“Dangote has started the free delivery. Already, trucks have begun moving. In most parts of the Western Zone, products are being discharged since it is closer to Lagos. My members are very pleased with the development,” he said.

He also revealed that the new arrangement would gradually push down the pump price of petrol, with prices expected to drop from N865 to about N841 per litre once the logistics-free supply gains traction nationwide.

According to him, some major marketers, including MRS, have already begun adjusting their pump prices in line with the development.

The move by Dangote is seen as a game-changer in the downstream sector, reducing the burden of transportation costs on independent marketers and offering the potential for cheaper petrol prices for consumers in the coming weeks.