Oil marketers have dismissed reports suggesting that some retail petroleum outlets are selling petrol at prices lower than the N739 per litre offered at filling stations designated for Dangote Refinery products.

According to the marketers, checks reveal that no other filling station currently provides petrol to consumers at a cheaper rate than Dangote's designated outlets. This comes as the Dangote Refinery continues its phased rollout of petrol across the country, aiming to stabilize supply and eventually lower prices.

The N739 per litre price point at Dangote-affiliated stations, while still subject to market fluctuations, is seen as a benchmark. Market watchers believe that increased availability of Dangote petrol could further influence pricing strategies across the industry. This development follows earlier concerns about price discrepancies and the need for transparent pricing mechanisms in the petroleum sector.

The availability of relatively cheaper petrol from Dangote Refinery is expected to ease some of the burden on consumers, who have faced rising fuel costs in recent months. Further increases in supply from the refinery could lead to increased competition and potentially drive prices down further, though this remains to be seen.

In the coming weeks, analysts will be closely monitoring petrol prices at both Dangote-designated stations and other retail outlets to gauge the full impact of the refinery's operations on the broader market. The focus will be on whether the current price advantage holds and if other players in the industry adjust their pricing accordingly.