Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has intervened in the ongoing dispute between Aliko Dangote and regulatory agencies overseeing the oil and gas sector. The conflict centers around the Dangote Refinery and allegations of sabotage and product quality issues.
On Monday in Abuja, Lokpobiri convened a meeting with Dangote and the heads of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This dialogue was prompted by accusations from Dangote that International Oil Companies (IOCs) were hindering the refinery's operations by inflating crude prices and obstructing local purchases.
Dangote alleged that these IOCs were forcing the refinery to import expensive crude from places like the U.S., significantly raising costs. In response, NMDPRA claimed that the Dangote Refinery was producing lower-quality diesel, citing a contamination level of 665 ppm, which they deemed substandard.
The public has criticized the ongoing exchanges, urging the federal government to act. Lokpobiri's intervention aims to facilitate a resolution, emphasizing the need for cooperation among stakeholders to ensure the success of Nigeria's oil and gas sector.
Reps to Investigate Allegations of Low-Grade Products
The House of Representatives' Joint Committee on Midstream and Downstream has initiated an investigation into allegations of substandard petroleum products and other issues affecting Nigeria's oil sector. Chairman Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere announced this at the investigation's start, following a motion adopted on July 9, 2024.
The committee will scrutinize the integrity of petroleum product testing processes, the issuance of licenses, and the role of middlemen in crude trading. It will also assess the capacity of testing laboratories and investigate the quality of products in filling stations and depots.
Stakeholders including petroleum refining companies, IPMAN, PETROAN, independent oil producers, and others will be involved in the investigation to address the sector's challenges and ensure compliance with international standards
0 Comments