Quality Dispute: Our Refinery Receives Repeated Orders from Abroad — Dangote

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to receive repeat orders from international customers, including European countries, Singapore, and offshore Lome, since it commenced production.

During a tour of 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) for allegedly undermining local industries and spreading misinformation to justify the importation of substandard fuel.

“I urge the House to form a committee to test fuel samples from filling stations against our refinery’s products. The certificates being flaunted by others are fake. We produce the best diesel in Nigeria,” Dangote stated.

He challenged NMDPRA to compare the quality of Dangote’s refined products with imported ones, advocating for an impartial assessment to determine the best option for Nigerians.

“Our diesel has a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, far below the NMDPRA’s limit of 650 ppm. Next week, we aim to achieve 10 ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard. Imported diesel often exceeds 1,800 ppm,” Dangote noted, emphasizing the health risks and financial losses caused by high-sulphur imports.

Supporting Dangote, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, highlighted European countries’ concerns over high-sulphur diesel being dumped into Nigeria, prompting bans on such exports to West Africa.

Edwin explained that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, designed to process various crudes and conform to Euro V specifications, can meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel, with surplus for export.

Olakunle Alake, the Group’s Vice President, expressed disappointment over accusations of monopoly against the Dangote Group, noting the presence of multiple players in the industry, including NNPC Limited, which operates four refineries.

House Speaker Tajudeen Abass announced plans to establish a committee to investigate the quality of imported refined products. He praised the Dangote Refinery as a significant asset for Nigeria’s energy security and sustainability.

“Today’s visit to the Dangote Oil Refinery has been enlightening. The scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring and a beacon of hope for our country amid energy supply challenges,” Abass said, commending the refinery’s state-of-the-art technology and commitment to quality.

He acknowledged the challenges faced during the refinery’s construction and lauded Dangote for his unwavering commitment to excellence despite regulatory hurdles and economic constraints.

The Dangote Refinery, the largest oil refinery in Africa, stands as a symbol of national pride and a testament to visionary leadership and relentless determination.