Petroleum Minister, Lokpobiri Meets Dangote, Heads Of NMDPRA, NNPC Amid Tension On Lagos Refinery
“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.”
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has chaired a high-level meeting over the challenges facing the Dangote Refinery, Lagos, which the government believes, is a critical project in the oil sector.
A statement on Monday by the Special Adviser Media and Communication to the Minister, Nneamaka Okafor, said the meeting were attended by Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group; Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Other are “Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).”
According to the statement, the stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the Honourable Minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this 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, the statement noted, emphasised the importance of co-operation 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 marks a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the Minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
Meanwhile, the Minister in post on his official X (former Twitter) handle said the meeting was a collaborative effort to find sustainable solutions to the challenges affecting the refinery.
He wrote: “I convened a high-level meeting with top executives from Dangote Group, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) to address the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
“The meeting was a collaborative effort to find sustainable solutions to the challenges affecting the refinery. All parties involved demonstrated a strong commitment to proactive problem-solving and expressed their gratitude for the leadership and timely intervention provided.
“I emphasized the critical importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which is essential for the country’s economic growth and energy security.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the House of Representatives called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, and oil marketers to refrain from making public accusations against each other, using the media.
SaharaReporters had recently reported how NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed highlighted concerns over the consistency and standardisation of the output of Aliko Dangote’s refinery.
NMDPRA boss said the quality of Dangote Refinery products was inferior compared to imported ones.
He also claimed that Dangote Refinery had yet to be licensed by the appropriate agency and yet to be completed for smooth operation.
He said, “I think we have about 45% completion. We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation because Dangote is requesting that we suspend or stop imports, especially of AGO and DPK, and direct all marketers to his refinery.”
In responding to Ahmed’s comments, Aliko Dangote said he stopped his earlier plans of investing in the Nigerian steel sector to avoid monopoly allegations as raised by the NMDPRA boss.
He had said he was willing to sell off his refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for citizens to know his investments were aimed at growing the country.
