Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has met with key stakeholders to address and resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals.
Those who attended the meeting in Abuja on Monday, July 22, 2024, includede the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to Lokpobiri for his leadership and timely intervention in facilitating the crucial dialogue.
A statement by the Special Adviser Media and Communication to the minister, Nneamaka Okafor, said: “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.”
It said the minister stressed the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the oil and gas sector, which he described as pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.
He added: “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.”
Dangote had declared his readiness to sell the refinery in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State to NNPCL.
Alleging that some individuals who were not happy with the completion of the refinery labeled him a monopolist, Dangote said that he is willing to give up ownership of the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery to the NNPCL.
The NMDPRA recently alleged that the Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppm – a statement criticised by many Nigerians as a tactic to favour imported products over local ones.
Dangote, however, said the company’s refined fuel is of superior quality compared to imported equivalents and meets international standards.
