Nigeria: Dangote calls on Nigerian Government and Marketers to take Advantage of his Petroleum Products.

By Jumoke Ogbe, Abuja Nigeria

The chairman of the Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote has called on the Nigerian government, the NNPCL and all stake holders to take advantage of the petroleum products that he has in his refinery.

In a message on his website, Dangote called on the NNPC and marketers to stop importing petroleum products stating that they should come and collect what they need. The chairman of the Dangote group stated further that he had reserves of petroleum products and was waiting for those responsible to come collect. He also stated that there will be no queue in the filling stations if the Nigerian people patronized his company.

Reacting to his comment, some members of the public disagreed with the notion that marketeers were deliberately avoiding doing business with him. One of the criticisms was that the Dangote refinery has not stated what price the various petroleum products will be selling for.

The price of Dangote’s petroleum products will have to be competitive to have meaningful impact on the Nigerian economy. If the products coming from abroad is cheaper or at per with Dangote’s, the Nigerian people will not patronize his products. This is business and in business, prices determine how the public reacts to products.

It is an uphill battle for the businessman who has taken on this giant challenge and responsibility. Hopefully, he will be able to find common ground with the Nigerian government, the NNPC and the marketers so that everyone at the end of the day including the Nigerian people can make the best of this opportunity.