Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been receiving repeated international orders, underscoring the high quality of its products. During a recent tour of the refinery complex by members of the House of Representatives, Dangote challenged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to compare the refinery’s diesel quality with imported alternatives.
Dangote emphasized the need for an impartial assessment of refined products, urging the National Assembly to conduct tests at various filling stations to verify product quality. He highlighted that tests conducted on the refinery’s diesel showed a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, significantly lower than the NMDPRA’s permissible limit of 650 ppm and much better than many imported products.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, noted that European countries like Belgium and The Netherlands have raised concerns about the carcinogenic effects of high-sulphur diesel being imported into Nigeria, leading to bans on such exports to West Africa. He assured that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery adheres to Euro V specifications and other international standards, capable of meeting 100% of Nigeria’s demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, expressed admiration for the refinery’s infrastructure, describing it as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products. He announced that the House would establish a committee to thoroughly investigate the quality of imported refined products in comparison to local outputs from the Dangote refinery.
Commending Dangote’s commitment to excellence, Abass highlighted the importance of the refinery amid global concerns over energy security and sustainability. He praised the state-of-the-art technology and innovation implemented at the refinery, which stands as the largest oil refinery in Africa.
The inspection and subsequent endorsements aim to clarify the controversy surrounding the quality of locally refined products versus imports, ensuring that Nigerians receive the best quality fuel. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to transparency and the protection of local industries from unfair regulatory practices.
