Dangote Refinery Dismisses Claims of Inferior Products, Blames Regulatory Authority
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has rejected claims by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that petroleum products from his refinery are inferior to imported ones. Dangote made the clarification on Saturday during a tour of the facility by the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbass.
According to Dangote, independent checks will show different results from those of NMDPRA. He insisted that the petroleum products’ specs tested by the regulator were imported. “The imported one they are encouraging is the spec in test, but in certain cases, when you check (independently), different results will show. Because those people who have the lab have been told what to write,” he said.
The CEO of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, had earlier stated that Dangote Refinery’s petroleum products are inferior to imported products. Ahmed also claimed that the refinery has not been licensed to operate, citing concerns about a potential monopoly in the sector. The development has led to deep-seated confusion in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
In related news, the Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, has accused international oil companies in Nigeria of frustrating Dangote Refinery by selling crude oil at higher prices. This comes after Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, announced that the 650,000 barrels per day refinery would kick off fuel supply by August.
Meanwhile, Speaker Abbass assured that lawmakers are committed to addressing all issues affecting the ease of doing business in Nigeria. “We are working diligently to create a more business-friendly environment through legislative reforms that streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency. Our goal is to make Nigeria an attractive destination for both local and international investors,” he said.
