By Charles Pemu 
Lagos, Nigeria – Amid mounting fears of fuel scarcity triggered by a standoff between tanker drivers and the Lagos State Government over the E-Call Up system, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to commence nationwide distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel starting from August 15.
The dispute escalated today, Monday, as tanker drivers and fuel marketers in Lagos State declared their intention to halt loading petroleum products. They cited the prohibitive cost of ₦12,500 per truck for the E-Call Up system on the Lekki-Epe Corridor as unfeasible. In response, the Lagos State Government firmly stated there would be no retreat on the E-Call Up implementation, accusing unions of collecting excessive fees (up to ₦41,000) from drivers for non-existent services. The E-Call Up system, as explained by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, aims to regulate articulated vehicle movement and prevent gridlock, similar to successes in the Apapa area.
Against this backdrop, the Dangote Refinery, in a statement released on Sunday, unveiled a strategic intervention. The company intends to deploy 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers to significantly boost its delivery capacity and ensure wider access to fuel across the country.
This comprehensive distribution offer will extend to various stakeholders, including marketers, petrol station dealers, manufacturers, telecom operators, aviation firms, and other large-scale fuel users. Dangote also plans to establish “daughter booster CNG stations” and operate a dedicated fleet of over 100 gas-powered tankers to support logistics. The initiative includes free product delivery, designed to eliminate distribution bottlenecks and reduce operational costs across key economic sectors.
The company stated that this “strategic programme” is part of its broader commitment to eliminating logistics costs, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting sustainability, and bolstering Nigeria’s economic development. It also includes a credit scheme for bulk buyers of 500,000 litres and above, aimed at revitalizing dormant filling stations, easing inflationary pressure, stimulating small businesses, and supporting the President Bola Tinubu administration’s economic reform agenda.
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, had previously hinted at a major “shakedown” in the country, and this distribution plan appears to be the fulfillment of that promise. However, Dangote’s direct foray into fuel distribution could also significantly impact the projected revenue of the parks built for truck drivers under the existing E-Call Up system.
As marketers voiced fears that the tanker drivers’ decision could trigger a widespread scarcity starting today, Dangote’s ambitious distribution plan emerges as a potential solution to mitigate the looming supply crisis.