By Nigeria’s billionaire businessman, Mr Femi Otedola, yesterday waded into the ongoing fuel supply disagreement between the Dangote Refinery and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), advising the association to innovate or perish.
The philanthropist stressed that he had followed the debate around the fuel supply issues between both parties recently, noting that he felt compelled to provide some perspective, especially as it relates to the future of the country.
In a statement on recent issues in the oil and gas sector, especially in the downstream, Otedola also congratulated Aliko Dangote on the success achieved so far since his refinery commenced operations, describing it as a historic leap for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic future.
Otedola posited that Nigeria remains threatened by entrenched cabals who still believe they can resist change, but maintained that history has shown time and again that change can only be delayed, but never halted.
Going down memory lane, Otedola recalled that he founded DAPPMAN 23 years ago, specifically in 2002, with a clear mission to challenge the dominance of the major marketers and give independent depot owners a fair platform to thrive.
According to him, at the time, the association aimed to fill critical supply gaps left by an inefficient downstream system. However, he emphasised that since then, times have changed, with many of the original players having exited the scene, and those left, clinging to assets that no longer reflect today’s business realities.
“But history has shown time and again: you can delay change, frustrate it, even sabotage it but you can never stop it. I founded DAPPMAN in 2002 (23 years ago) with a clear mission, to challenge the dominance of the major marketers and give independent depot owners a fair platform to thrive.
