Dangote Refinery enlists Ardova, Heyden in price control
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Nigeria’s major private fuel producer, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has struck additional offtake deals with two major marketing firms: Ardova Plc and Heyden Petroleum.
The company stated that the bulk offtake deals are designed to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products at affordable prices, further stabilize the nation’s fuel market and enhance energy security for consumers.
Dangote Refinery explained in a media statement that the efforts to bring affordable fuel closer to the people are propelled by the economic relief provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s crude-for-naira swap initiative.
The latest deals follow the example set by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, which had previously entered into a similar agreement with Dangote Refinery. As a result, MRS Oil recently lowered its fuel prices to N935 per litre across all its stations nationwide, addressing the long-standing issue of price disparities between states.
With high sales turnover associated with the deal, MRS Oil’s stock surged to a new 52-week high last Friday as investors became increasingly optimistic about the company’s future earnings prospects.
The statement indicates that the bulk purchase agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery would enable both Ardova and Heyden to secure a reliable and consistent supply of petroleum products from the world’s largest single-train refinery, ensuring a stable supply of fuel at competitive prices, benefiting consumers across the country.
The arrangement ensures that Ardova and Heyden would have access to a full range of refined products, thereby securing their operations with a reliable supply chain.
A statement from Ardova Plc underscored the importance of this agreement in fostering a more competitive environment within Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.
Ardova has been a key off-taker from the Dangote Refinery since its inception, but this new framework is expected to formalise and strengthen the partnership between the two companies, creating long-term benefits for both parties.
“This framework will see Ardova Plc offtake a full slate of petroleum products from the refinery. While Ardova Plc has been a significant off-taker from the refinery since its inception, this new framework will institutionalise a more robust relationship between the two companies to further enhance the emerging competitive landscape in the downstream oil and gas industry in the country,” noted the statement.
“The partnership with Dangote Refinery is poised to have a transformative impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas market. By ensuring a stable and affordable supply of fuel products in the over 1,000 retail outlets of the two companies, the agreement will help to alleviate the recurring issue of fuel scarcity that has long plagued Nigeria,” the statement said.
With its large-scale operations, Dangote Refinery has helped alleviate the supply pressures that often lead to price hikes and fuel shortages in the country.
During the festive season, Nigerians enjoyed a relatively smooth period, with stable fuel availability and no significant price increases at the pump. Unlike previous years, when the country faced fuel shortages and arbitrary price hikes during peak periods, the Dangote Refinery has significantly contributed to stabilising the market and maintaining price consistency.
