- Marketers: we can’t wait to buy petrol from plant
The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) yesterday said it planned to seek funding for truck procurement from either the Federal Government or private sector to scale up its operation to match the demand for petroleum products haulage from the Dangote Refinery.
Recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari has scheduled to inaugurate the 650,000 barrel per day capacity refinery in Lagos on May 22, 2023.
Speaking on phone yesterday, NARTO President, Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, said: “I am sure that we are going to look for financing of trucks either from the Federal Government or any other person so that we will have smooth operation. So, we are very happy.”
According to him, the refinery will guarantee availability of petroleum products.
Read Also : Dangote Refinery for inauguration May 22
Noting that the facility will also create jobs, he added that it will save Nigeria the much-needed foreign exchange (forex) since the refinery.
Othman described the refinery as one of the best success stories of the country
He said: “This is a very good development for any well-meaning Nigeria. It is a good development, especially for the operators in the downstream because there is guarantee of availability of petroleum products in the country.
“It means that it guarantees employment for all. Too, the government and people of Nigeria will save foreign exchange because it will produce here in Nigeria. It will produce engine oil and so many associated products. This is one of the best things that have happened to this country.”
Besides, the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) yesterday said they were anxious to buy products from the refinery.
Its Executive Security, Mr. Clement Isong, said the association has commenced discussions with the refinery’s management.
He expressed happiness over the good news, stressing MOMAN will be glad to purchase fuel from there.
“Off course, we are very happy. We will be very happy to buy petrol from them (Dangote).
“We have been talking to them. We can’t wait for them to start. We will buy from them as soon as they start,” he said.
Similarly, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the refineries will quicken Nigeria’s crave for full deregulation of the petroleum sector.
Speaking with The Nation on phone, the association’s National Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, described the coming on stream of the refinery as good news.
He confirmed that IPMAN will begin plans to buy products from the refinery instead of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Maigandi said: “It is a very good and welcome development. It will help the deregulation that the government is about to do. Yes, we too are planning to start buying from him when he starts. When the sector is fully deregulated, IPMAN too will buy product from Dangote.”