The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced it will begin distributing petrol (Premium Motor Spirit) and diesel (Automotive Gas Oil) across Nigeria starting August 15. This comes as Lagos faces growing fears of fuel scarcity due to a dispute between tanker drivers and the state government over a new electronic call-up system.

The refinery said on Sunday it would roll out 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers to enhance fuel delivery nationwide. The move aims to improve access to fuel for major buyers including petrol station operators, manufacturers, telecom companies, aviation firms, and other bulk consumers. Dangote Group also plans to support distribution through booster CNG stations and over 100 dedicated gas-powered tankers.

The company said the initiative would reduce distribution costs, revive inactive filling stations, and support economic reforms by making fuel more accessible and affordable. Bulk buyers of over 500,000 litres will also benefit from a credit scheme as part of the plan.

However, the timing of the announcement coincides with rising tension in Lagos State, where tanker drivers have threatened to stop fuel loading due to a N12,500 per truck fee imposed under the new E-Call Up system for vehicles accessing the Lekki-Epe corridor.

The Lagos State Government insists the fee is non-negotiable, accusing union leaders of exploiting drivers by charging up to N41,000 unofficially. The government says the E-Call Up system is meant to reduce gridlock, regulate truck movement, and protect infrastructure in the busy industrial area, which houses the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and other key installations.

The system requires truck operators to register online, upload loading documents, and wait for an electronic call-up before proceeding to loading sites. Only validated trucks are allowed into designated parks.

But the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) say the N12,500 charge is too high. They propose a maximum of N2,500 per truck.

NARTO President, Yusuf Othman, said discussions with the government are ongoing. “We told our members not to load fuel until the issue is resolved. If they insist on the N12,500, we will stop operations,” he warned.

IPMAN Vice President, Hammed Fashola, also expressed concerns. While supporting the E-Call Up idea in principle, he said implementation has been rushed and key stakeholders were not properly carried along. “The parks they built are substandard,” he said. “We’ve not even been shown the facilities. Last year, we visited some locations and advised that proper structures must be in place to ensure safety.”

The fear now is that if no agreement is reached soon, fuel supply in Lagos and other states could be severely affected in the coming days — despite Dangote’s plan to begin its distribution in August.

Stakeholders are calling for calm and urging the government to listen to industry concerns to avoid triggering a full-blown fuel crisis.