The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has strongly rejected allegations made by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery that it is sponsoring oil union workers to go on strike, describing them as misleading, factually incorrect and damaging to the integrity of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Association said it was compelled to correct “distortions” in a press release issued by Dangote on 15 September, warning that such claims risk undermining public trust and regulatory confidence in the market.

Among the issues addressed, DAPPMAN denied sponsoring the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in its proposed industrial action, stressing that labour unions and industry associations such as NUPENG, NARTO, MEMAN, IPMAN and DAPPMAN operate independently.

“Our role has been one of de-escalation, focused on averting disruption to fuel supply and national mobility,” the statement said.

On fuel pricing, the association argued that recent pump price reductions were driven by government reforms, a stronger naira, and falling crude oil prices, not by Dangote’s operations. DAPPMAN also questioned why the refinery could export freely to countries like the United States but sought restrictive measures in Nigeria.

The group further described as “misleading and ironic” allegations that marketers re-import Dangote products from Togo, pointing out that Offshore Lome is a recognized West African trading hub, not a blending facility. It accused the refinery of offering foreign traders discounts of over $40 per metric tonne while restricting Nigerian marketers’ access to coastal vessel loading, thereby creating arbitrage opportunities.

On product quality, DAPPMAN said Dangote itself applied for waivers from regulators to distribute high-sulphur fuels, in breach of the Petroleum Industry Act, and challenged the refinery to publicly deny it. It also insisted that supply volume claims were outside Dangote’s jurisdiction, with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) holding official records.

Raising concerns about safety, the association criticized plans to deploy 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks without mandatory driver retraining or audits, citing Dangote’s history of fatal road crashes. It urged regulators to conduct a comprehensive safety audit before deployment to avoid further tragedies.

DAPPMAN also accused the refinery of undermining national institutions by implying regulatory failure, warning that such narratives threatened the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The association issued a seven-day ultimatum to Dangote to either retract its allegations of product diversion or present verifiable evidence, warning of possible legal action if it failed to comply.

Reaffirming its support for deregulation and open competition, DAPPMAN said: “We will resist any attempt to create a monopoly masked as patriotism. Consumers must benefit from efficiency and choice, while supply remains diversified, safe, and competitive.” (AriseNews TV)