The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has raised serious concerns over road safety, unfair competition, and public accusations by the Dangote Group, warning that recent developments in the petroleum distribution space could undermine industry-wide reforms and national safety.
In a strongly worded statement issued by its management, DAPPMAN called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into the safety records of Dangote drivers, following a string of fatal road accidents linked to the company’s fleet.
“While DAPPMAN supports the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks as a cleaner energy initiative, safety cannot be compromised,” the group said.
The statement referenced recent crashes involving Dangote cement trucks across multiple states, warning that adding 4,000 new petroleum trucks to an already congested road network without adequate driver training and safety audits could spark a new wave of preventable tragedies.
DAPPMAN urged the FRSC, insurance stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to audit Dangote’s transport operations, including driver recruitment, vetting, and safety compliance. It cited worsening road conditions and growing public complaints particularly in high-traffic areas like Lekki-Epe Expressway as signs that unchecked expansion may carry unintended consequences.
“Without immediate intervention, the risks to lives, property, and public infrastructure will escalate,” DAPPMAN warned.
Allegations of Smuggling and Legal Ultimatum
Tensions further escalated following allegations by the Dangote Refinery suggesting that petroleum marketers were diverting products to neighbouring countries. DAPPMAN described the accusations as baseless and inflammatory, accusing Dangote of undermining key regulatory institutions, including the NMDPRA, Customs, and border control agencies.
“These comments not only erode public confidence but also threaten the integrity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deregulation agenda,” the group said.
In response, DAPPMAN issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Dangote Refinery, demanding a public retraction or verifiable proof of the smuggling claims or face legal action.
“Smuggling is a national security matter. If any DAPPMAN member is complicit, let the proper authorities act. But we will not tolerate false allegations.”
Refinery Accused of Seeking Monopoly Under Guise of Patriotism
DAPPMAN warned that the Dangote Group’s actions point to a strategic effort to monopolize Nigeria’s downstream sector, cloaked in nationalistic language.
“We do not seek conflict. We seek a petroleum market where all players follow the same rules,” the statement read.
“We will resist any attempt to create a monopoly masked as patriotism.”
The group emphasized that market deregulation, competition, and fair access to supply are cornerstones of a functioning downstream economy and must be preserved.
DAPPMAN also dismissed claims by Dangote that it had sponsored recent strike threats by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The association described the allegation as misinformed and damaging, noting that it has no control over labour unions.
“DAPPMAN is not behind NUPENG’s proposed industrial action. Our role has been focused on preventing fuel supply disruptions and de-escalating tensions.”
The group clarified that stakeholders such as NUPENG, NARTO, PETROAN, MEMAN, IPMAN, and DAPPMAN are independent entities, each with separate mandates.
Addressing recent reductions in petrol pump prices, DAPPMAN dismissed suggestions that the move was patriotic. Instead, it attributed the cuts to a combination of:
- Strengthening naira (₦1,500–₦1,550/$ in Q1 2025)
- Falling international crude prices (Brent crude dropped from $92 to $76/barrel)
- Deregulated market conditions under Tinubu’s fiscal and monetary reforms
The association also questioned why the Dangote Refinery thrives in open global markets like the U.S., but promotes protectionist policies at home.
DAPPMAN rejected the refinery’s criticism of marketers allegedly importing Dangote-refined products via Togo, calling it ironic and misleading.
It explained that Offshore Lome is a West African trading hub not a refinery or blending plant and accused Dangote of offering discounts of over $40/MT to foreign traders, while restricting Nigerian marketers to gantry loading only.
“This double standard creates the very arbitrage opportunities the refinery now criticises.”
Responding to claims that DAPPMAN members import high-sulphur fuel, the association turned the spotlight back on Dangote, accusing the refinery of requesting waivers to distribute high-sulphur products in violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Section 317 (11).
It challenged the refinery to publicly deny this or open its records to independent audit.
DAPPMAN further stated that the refinery currently supplies no more than 35% of Nigeria’s total demand, making the idea of centralising supply unrealistic and dangerous.
In a powerful closing, DAPPMAN warned against the marginalisation of decades-long investments made by Nigerian marketers, depot operators, and distributors.
“Every actor in the value chain has a role. Demanding that marketers build refineries shows a poor understanding of modern petroleum economies.”
The association called on regulators, the public, and the media to stay vigilant and ensure that all market players no matter how large are held to equal standards of transparency, safety, and fairness.
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