Persistent long queues at MRS filling stations supplied by the Dangote Refinery have been attributed to the comparatively lower pump price of petrol, which continues to attract motorists across major cities.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has explained that the N739 per litre price offered at these outlets is significantly below the prevailing market rates, making them a preferred choice for consumers seeking relief from high fuel costs.
Speaking in an interview with Nairametrics on Monday, IPMAN’s spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, said the price differential largely accounts for the congestion observed at Dangote Refinery-backed stations. He noted that Nigerians are naturally drawn to cheaper petroleum products, especially amid sustained economic pressures.
Ukadike stressed that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for other filling stations to sell petrol below the N739 per litre benchmark set by the Dangote Refinery. According to him, the current pricing structure in the downstream sector does not support lower rates by independent marketers without incurring losses.
He explained that if any marketer were selling petrol at a cheaper price than MRS stations, the queues at such outlets would be even longer, reinforcing the point that price remains the primary driver of consumer behaviour in the fuel market.
In December last year, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, announced a uniform petrol price of N739 per litre from the Dangote Refinery. Since then, most other filling stations across the country have been selling petrol at higher prices, typically ranging between N815 and N839 per litre.
The disparity has intensified competition in the retail fuel market while placing pressure on consumers, many of whom are increasingly willing to endure long waiting times in exchange for lower fuel prices.