Dangote: Our refinery receives repeated orders from abroad

● Urges the National Assembly to test all available products at the Standard laboratory to disprove NMDPRA’s claims

Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote revealed over the weekend that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has continued to receive repeat orders for its products from all those who have purchased them since the start of production. The refinery has so far exported its products to some European countries, Singapore and offshore Lome.

Speaking during a tour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited by members of the House of Representatives, Dangote questioned why a regulator like the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which is supposed to protect local industries, is criticising them and even lying in media reports to justify the need to continue importing dirty fuel into the country.

He said: “I urge you to set up a committee that will take samples from petrol stations and take our sample because I have to tell you that all the test certificates that people are waving around are fake. Where are the laboratories where those tests were conducted? By doing that, you will be able to tell Nigerians the truth they deserve to know. The demarketing of a company by a regulator that is supposed to protect it is very unfortunate.

“We didn’t know that you were going to ask us to stop along the way and take samples from other petrol stations. I didn’t know what you wanted to do until we got there and you asked for a test. It’s also good that it was your members who went directly to take our samples and I’m sure you were shocked by the result. With the result, you can see that we produce the best diesel in Nigeria.”

Dangote has openly challenged the regulator (NMDPRA) to compare the quality of refined products from his oil refinery with imported ones, while advocating for an impartial assessment to determine what best serves the interests of Nigerians. “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria. It is disheartening that instead of safeguarding the market, the regulator is undermining it. Our doors are open for the regulator to conduct tests on our products at any time; transparency is key for us. It would be helpful for the regulator to showcase its laboratory to the world so that Nigerians can make a comparison. Our interest is Nigeria first because if Nigeria does not grow, we have limited capacity to grow.

“Honorable Chairman and esteemed members, you have witnessed the results of the credibility test. I appreciate your wise counsel in purchasing samples from the filling stations along with our refinery product. Ours shows a sulphur content of 87.6ppm, about 88, while the others have exceeded 1,800ppm. Although the NMDPRA allows local refiners to produce diesel with a sulphur content of up to 650ppm until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS, ours is significantly lower. Next week, we aim to reach 10ppm, aligning with the Euro V standard. Imported diesel is limited to 50ppm, but as you have seen, those from the stations, imported by major traders, are well outside this standard,” Dangote noted.

He pointed out that high sulphur diesel imported regularly into the country often has questionable certifications. He stressed that the most effective method of verifying quality is to buy the product directly from filling stations and conduct credibility tests. According to him, this problem has led to both health risks and financial losses for Nigerians.

“Dubious certifications often accompany the importation of high sulphur diesel into Nigeria, causing both health risks and financial losses to Nigerians,” Dangote noted. “The best way to verify this is to buy the product directly from the petrol stations where end users obtain it. I believe Farouk Ahmed (NMDPRA CEO) is speaking without sufficient knowledge of our refinery. We have successfully exported diesel and jet fuel to Europe and Asia without any complaints; in fact, we have received repeat orders, which shows satisfaction with our products.”

In support of Dangote’s claim, Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, highlighted recent actions by European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. “These countries have raised concerns about the carcinogenic effects of high sulphur diesel dumped into the Nigerian market, prompting them to impose bans on such fuel exports to West Africa,” he said.

Edwin informed visiting federal lawmakers that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, designed to process a wide range of crudes, including various African and Middle Eastern crudes, as well as US Light Tight Oil, is Euro V compliant. It is also, he said, designed to comply with United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent standards, and African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards.

Edwin stressed that the products produced at the $20 billion plant are of high quality and meet international standards, saying the plant has the capacity to meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation jet fuel, with surplus available for export.

The group’s vice-chairman, Olakunle Alake, expressed disappointment over the monopoly allegations against the Dangote Group. He pointed out that there are several players in the sector, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which operates four refineries.

Expressing concern over the controversy surrounding the quality of refined products imported into Nigeria, the Reps Chairman, Rt. Hon. Abass said the Green Chamber would set up a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter. He stressed that products sampled from various sources would be tested as part of this initiative.

The President also expressed admiration for the infrastructure of Dangote Oil Refinery, describing it as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products. He noted that the refinery has positioned itself as a critical player, especially at a time when global concerns on energy security and sustainability are paramount.

“Today’s visit to the magnificent facilities of the Dangote Industries Oil Refinery was nothing short of enlightening. It provided us with a rare opportunity to witness first-hand the monumental strides your organization has made in transforming the oil production landscape in Nigeria. The scale and sophistication of this facility is impressive; it stands as a beacon of hope for our country as we navigate the turbulent waters of energy supply challenges,” he said.

Praising the cutting-edge technology implemented in the oil refinery, Abbas praised it as revolutionary and a shining example of engineering excellence and innovation.

“Every corner of this facility resonates with the echoes of hard work, dedication and an unyielding pursuit of quality. It is evident that every drop produced here carries with it not only oil, but also the hopes and dreams of millions of people yearning for a brighter future. We are deeply moved by what we saw during this visit, which confirms the classification of this facility as the largest oil refinery in Africa. This extraordinary achievement does not simply reflect corporate success; it symbolizes national pride, a tribute to what can be achieved when visionary leadership meets relentless determination,” he said.

Acknowledging the many challenges likely to be encountered during the construction of the refinery, the President commended Dangote for his constant commitment to excellence.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the myriad challenges that have beset this remarkable institution. The regulatory hurdles that often loom like dark clouds over progress, the complexities surrounding crude oil supplies that can stifle even the most ambitious efforts, and the daunting economic landscape we navigate, especially in these times when our economy is grappling with exchange rate constraints, are all formidable adversaries. Yet, despite these tribulations, your unwavering commitment to excellence shines through,” he said.

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