Dangote-NMDPRA Spat: Lokpobiri Wades In, Convenes Crucial Meeting

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA leadership, to address ongoing disputes affecting the Dangote Refinery.

The closed-door meeting, held in Abuja yesterday, aimed at fostering collaboration and resolving issues hindering the refinery’s operations, which many hoped would alleviate Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

Present at the meeting were: president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed; chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe; and group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Mele Kyari, a statement signed by the minister’s special adviser, Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor.

The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.

The minister emphasised the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Oil and Gas sector, which is pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.

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This dialogue comes amid rising tensions and calls for investigations into the refinery’s operational challenges and allegations of sabotage from regulatory authorities.

This meeting marks a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue.

The dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA centres around allegations of substandard fuel production by Dangote Refinery.

NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed claimed that Dangote’s diesel has a higher sulphur content (650-1,200 ppm) compared to imported diesel, making it inferior. However, Dangote refuted these claims, stating that their lab analysis showed the diesel has only 87.6 ppm sulphur.

Dangote also said the NMDPRA approved their refinery lab in March 2024. The NMDPRA has embedded 15 engineers in the refinery to monitor operations.

The House of Representatives has called on both parties to resolve their differences amicably to avoid discouraging investors. The NMDPRA is awaiting a fresh report from Dangote to confirm the sulphur levels.