Gwamcee News
Aliko Dangote, chief executive officer of Dangote Refinery, held a strategic meeting with key stakeholders, including executives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) to address the lingering challenges in the oil sector and explore sustainable solutions.
Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri said this on Monday, via his X page, Nairametrics reports.
Heineken Lokpobiri, Farouk Ahmed, the head of NMDPRA, Mele Kyari and NUPRC, and Engineer Gbenga Komolafe were all in attendance.
According to Lokpobiri, the stakeholders met to address issues affecting the refinery.
“I convened a high-level meeting with top executives from Dangote Group, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) to address the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
“The meeting was a collaborative effort to find sustainable solutions to the challenges affecting the refinery,” he said.
Though the outcome of the meeting was not stated, the minister stressed that all parties demonstrated a strong commitment to producing proactive problem-solving solutions.
They were said to have expressed their gratitude for the leadership and timely intervention provided by the minister.
Besides, the minister emphasised the critical importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which according to him, is essential for the country’s economic growth and energy security.
Background:
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), alleged that the Dangote refinery produces substandard products, including diesel with high sulfur content
NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, has also claimed that the Dangote refinery operates without a license.
Ahmed has further accused Dangote of seeking a monopoly in the market by advocating for a stop to petrol imports and forcing marketers to rely solely on his refinery
Dangote has alleged that a cabal is trying to sabotage the refinery’s operations, and that oil majors are blocking access to locally produced crude.
Dangote has also claimed that the regulator is allowing fuel traders to import high-sulphur gasoil, undermining his refinery’s competitiveness ⁴.
Nigerian lawmakers have launched a probe into crude oil shortages and fuel importation issues at the Dangote Refinery, and will conduct a forensic audit of the sector.
