Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has refuted claims that Dangote Petroleum Refinery produces substandard petroleum products. Speaking over the weekend, Dangote revealed that the refinery has received repeated orders from buyers in Europe, Singapore, and offshore Lome since production began.
During a tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited by members of the House of Representatives, Dangote criticized the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allegedly spreading false information to justify continued imports of low-quality fuel.
“I urge you to set up a committee to test samples from filling stations alongside our own samples. The test certificates being flaunted are fake. Where are the laboratories for these tests? By doing this, you can reveal the truth to Nigerians,” Dangote stated.
He challenged the NMDPRA to compare the quality of his refinery’s products with imported ones, advocating for impartial assessments. Dangote emphasized the high quality of his refinery’s diesel, noting it meets Euro V standards, with a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, significantly lower than the NMDPRA’s permitted 650 ppm until January 2025.
Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, supported Dangote’s claims by pointing out that European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands have banned the export of high-sulphur diesel to West Africa due to health concerns.
Edwin highlighted that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery meets international standards and has the capacity to fulfill Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel, with surpluses for export.
Expressing disappointment over accusations of monopoly, Olakunle Alake, Vice President of Dangote Group, stressed that there are multiple players in the industry, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abass, announced plans to establish a committee to investigate the quality of imported refined products. He praised the Dangote Oil Refinery as a significant asset for Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
“Today’s visit has shown us the impressive strides made by Dangote Industries in transforming petroleum production in Nigeria. The scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring, symbolizing national pride and corporate success,” he said.
Abass commended the state-of-the-art technology at the refinery, describing it as revolutionary. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the refinery’s construction and praised Dangote for his commitment to excellence.
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