- NMDPRA’s Chief Executive had alleged that the Dangote refinery operates without a license and produces high-sulphur products.
- The claims have been strongly repudiated by Dangote.
The federal government has intervened in the crisis of confidence between its regulators and the Dangote Refinery, a multibillion-dollar facility, over crude oil supply.
On Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, held a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to address the issue, which has been in the media spotlight recently.
The Dangote Group’s Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has alleged that a cabal is trying to sabotage the refinery’s operations.
The controversy escalated when NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, publicly alleged that the Dangote refinery operates without a license and produces high-sulphur products.
Ahmed further claimed that Dangote is advocating for a stop to petrol imports and forcing marketers to rely solely on his refinery.
Dangote has categorically denied these claims, dismissing them as false.
According to a statement released by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communication, the meeting held on Monday brought together key stakeholders, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of NUPRC, and Mr. Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPC. However, the statement did not provide any further details about the discussions or outcomes of the meeting.