Dangote Refinery vs. IOCs: Accusations of Operational Sabotage

In a startling revelation, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) of deliberate sabotage aimed at crippling Dangote Refinery’s operations. Edwin claims these companies are inflating the prices of local crude oil, forcing the refinery to import more expensive crude from abroad.

Edwin further criticized the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for allowing the importation of dirty diesel and jet fuel into the country. He argued that despite the refinery’s compliance with ECOWAS standards, licenses are being issued for the importation of high-sulfur fuels from places like Russia, compromising the health of Nigerians and the economy.

Highlighting the refinery’s achievements, Edwin noted that Dangote Refinery has exported over 3.5 billion liters of fuel, accounting for 90% of its production, and meets international standards, enabling exports to Europe and other global markets.

Edwin appealed for the Federal Government’s intervention to enforce the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and protect Nigeria’s interests. He pointed out that other countries, like Ghana, have banned the import of contaminated diesel, urging Nigeria to follow suit to support local production and environmental health.

The controversy surrounding the importation of substandard fuel has also led to European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands banning the export of such fuels to West Africa. These measures are intended to protect the region from the harmful effects of toxic fuel imports.

Despite these challenges, Dangote Refinery remains committed to producing high-quality products and growing the Nigerian economy. Edwin called on the government and regulators to provide the necessary support to ensure the refinery’s success and the nation’s prosperity.