…Reps panel probes NMDPRA‘s substandard petroleum products claim, invites Dangote
.. Saboteurs Threatening To Destabilise Petroleum Sector – Akpabio
…. non-availability of crude to refineries, threats to energy security
The Federal Government has waded into the open spat between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA) and the newly established Dangote Refinery.
Consequently, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has convened a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, including businessman Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA leadership, to address ongoing disputes affecting the take-off of Dangote Refinery.
The meeting aimed to foster collaboration and resolve issues hindering the refinery’s operations, which many hoped would alleviate Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
Present at the meeting were president of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; chief executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed; chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, and
group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, a statement signed by the minister’s special adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, stated.
The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating the crucial dialogue. 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.
The minister emphasised the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Oil and Gas sector, which is pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.
This meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscored the minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NMDPRA centred around allegations of substandard fuel production by Dangote Refinery as alleged by the NMDPRA boss.
NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed claimed that Dangote’s diesel has a higher sulphur content (650-1,200 ppm) compared to imported diesel, making it inferior. However, Dangote refuted the claims, stating that their lab analysis showed the diesel has only 87.6 ppm sulphur.
Dangote also said the NMDPRA approved their refinery lab in March 2024. The NMDPRA has embedded 15 engineers in the refinery to monitor operations.
The House of Representatives has called on both parties to resolve their differences amicably to avoid discouraging investors.
The NMDPRA was awaiting a fresh report from Dangote Refinery to confirm the sulphur levels, which is expected on Monday
Saboteurs Threatening To Destabilise Petroleum Sector, Says Akpabio
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has raised alarm over the persistent economic sabotage that has undermined investor confidence in the petroleum sector, declaring that the Senate must identify and hold those accountable for the criminal acts.
Akpabio made the declaration on Monday during the inauguration of the Senate ad-hoc committee to investigate alleged sabotage in the sector.
At the inauguration, the Senate President stated that it is not merely an investigation but a rescue mission for the nation’s future. He said that it is a matter of national security and sovereignty and, if left unchecked, could cripple the economy for generations to come.
Senator Akpabio therefore charged members of the committee to collaborate with relevant agencies, industry experts, and stakeholders to uncover the root causes of the economic saboteurs, leaving no stone unturned.
Reps begin investigation into importation of adulterated petroleum products
The House of Representatives Joint Petroleum Committees on Midstream and Downstream sectors have commenced a thorough investigation into the alleged production/importation of adulterated/substandard petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil needed by domestic refineries, and broader threats to Nigeria’s energy security.
The Joint Investigative committees chaired by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Downstream) and Hon. Henry Okojie (Midstream), at the inaugural meeting which was declared Open by the Deputy Speaker Rep Benjamin Kalu on Monday, called on all stakeholders to provide comprehensive support, including essential information and documentation that will help with the investigation.
The Deputy Speaker while performing the inauguration of the committee charged stockholders to hold dearly the sacred principles of transparency, fairness, justice and professionalism in going about their mandate.
He charged the committee to consider the interest of the people and only the interest of the Nigerian people in their Investigative activities while warning them not to compromise the core values of the the 10th House of Representatives.
The Chairman of Downstream Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere who heads the Joint Investigation and Hon.Henry Okogie Chairman Midstream in their speeches at the event outlined the Committee strategy and confirmed that hearings and submissions from stakeholders have already begun.
They urged refinery operators, importers, producers, and marketers of petroleum products to share their complaints, suggestions, and independent facts.
They disclosed that the investigation will proceed in phases, staring with the investigation of allegations of local production and importation of substandard petroleum products, as well as the critical issue of crude oil non-availability to refineries and circumstances surrounding it.
The committee revealed that it has identified 30 key items for investigation as directed by the House but will initially focus on two primary concerns.
He said “To ensure a thorough examination, the committee plans to: Conduct laboratory investigations at all local refineries, marketer and importer facilities, and regulatory agency labs such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Visit various filling stations of different marketers, importers’ depots, and other relevant sites to collect samples for analysis.
“These samples will be examined in their labs, and also in alternative private independent labs to ascertain sulfur levels and other critical components. The committee will hire an internationally certified lab and where possible conduct live testing of all imported and locally produced products to help resolve the issues. The results of such testing on all imported and produced petroleum products, will be announced publicly.
“The committee affirmed that apart from finding a final solution to the alleged embarrassing issue of non-availability of crude supply to domestic refiners both modular and big refiners, the findings will stretch to crude produced and the quantity that ought to go to local refiners and the reasons for falling short, the impact of crude forward sales on availability of crude to domestic refiners and other issues.”
The Lawmakers said that letters of invitation for paper submissions and appearances have been dispatched to key stakeholders, including the Minister for Petroleum (Oil), the management of NNPCL, the GCEO Mele Kyari, Executive Vice President Downstream, and Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Operations Officers, and their lab heads or testing partners.
Others include IPMAN, PETROAN, NUPRC CEO, independent oil producers, international oil companies (IOCs), importers, marketers, and depot owners.
The Chairman of the Commitee also emphasized that the investigation aims to identify and resolve the underlying issues plaguing Nigeria’s petroleum sector, the lawmakers urged relevant stakeholders to deviate from any attack on media pending conclusion of investigation
