President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been receiving repeated orders for its products from international buyers since production began. The refinery has successfully exported products to European countries, Singapore, and offshore Lome.
During a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and the Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex by members of the House of Representatives, Dangote criticized the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). He accused the regulator of undermining local industries and spreading false information to justify continued imports of substandard fuel.
Dangote urged the formation of a committee to test fuel samples from various filling stations to reveal the truth to Nigerians. He emphasized the high quality of the diesel produced by his refinery, which he claimed surpasses the standards of imported products.
“We produce the best diesel in Nigeria. The regulator’s actions are disheartening and undermine the market. Our products are open for testing at any time to ensure transparency,” Dangote said.
He called for a fair comparison between the refined products from his refinery and those imported, advocating for an impartial assessment to determine the best interests of Nigerians. He highlighted that the sulphur content in their diesel is significantly lower than the permissible limit, aligning with the Euro V standard.
Dangote also pointed out the health and financial risks associated with high-sulphur diesel imports, which often come with dubious certifications. He emphasized the importance of verifying the quality of diesel by purchasing directly from filling stations and conducting credibility tests.
Supporting Dangote’s claims, the Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, mentioned that European countries like Belgium and The Netherlands have banned high-sulphur diesel exports to West Africa due to its carcinogenic effects.
Edwin informed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is designed to process various crudes and conforms to Euro V specifications, complying with international emission standards. He noted that the refinery can meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel, with surplus available for export.
The Group’s Vice President, Olakunle Alake, expressed disappointment over accusations of monopoly against the Dangote Group, highlighting that there are multiple players in the industry, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Limited), which operates four refineries.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, announced that the Green Chamber will establish a committee to investigate the quality of imported refined products into Nigeria. He praised the Dangote Oil Refinery as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
Abass commended the state-of-the-art technology implemented at the refinery, describing it as a revolutionary example of engineering and innovation excellence. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the refinery’s construction and lauded Dangote for his steadfast commitment to achieving excellence.
