FG Demands New Diesel Test from Dangote Refinery Amid Sulphur Content Dispute; NMDPRA to Release Report Today

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has requested a fresh report to verify the sulphur content in diesel produced by Dangote Refinery. This comes after the refinery denied claims of producing inferior fuel.

NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita while speaking to The Punch on Sunday said that the agency had completed its investigation and would avoid public disputes over the matter. The request follows assertions by NMDPRA Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed that Dangote’s diesel contains more sulphur than imported variants.

Ene-Ita disclosed that 15 engineers and scientists stationed at the Dangote refinery would release an updated sulphur content report today.

Farouk Ahmed previously claimed that diesel from Dangote Refinery has higher sulphur content compared to imported fuel and that the refinery is still in its pre-commissioning phase, operating without a license. Ahmed also mentioned that Nigeria couldn’t rely solely on the Dangote refinery for fuel supply, highlighting the risk of monopoly and energy security concerns.

During a tour of the refinery by House of Representatives members led by Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Dangote refuted Ahmed’s claims, presenting test results showing their diesel had 87.6 ppm sulphur, while samples from other petrol stations had over 1,800 ppm and 2,000 ppm.

Dangote criticized the NMDPRA for allegedly undermining local fuel production and demanded an impartial assessment of fuel quality. He stated, “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria. The regulator should conduct transparent tests on our products anytime.”

In response, Ene-Ita emphasized that the regulator’s role is to ensure compliance without bias and that the agency would review the new technical report from its engineers embedded at the refinery.

Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery, facing challenges in securing adequate crude supplies from Nigeria, is in talks with Libya and Angola to import crude. Despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest oil producer, the refinery has been importing crude from Brazil and the United States due to domestic supply issues.

The controversy has sparked concerns among Nigerians and fuel marketers, with calls for President Bola Tinubu to address the regulatory disputes. The House of Representatives has announced an investigation into the allegations.