MAN Urges NMDPRA to Stop Undermining Dangote Refinery and Local Companies

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has cautioned the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other regulatory bodies to stop undermining Dangote Refinery and other local producers.

In a statement addressing the conflict between Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA, MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, emphasized the importance of regulatory agencies fostering a supportive business environment for local investments.

“Government agencies tasked with regulatory oversight should create an enabling business environment for local investments to prosper,” he stated. “No regulatory agency should cast doubt on a homegrown investment like the Dangote Refinery. Allegations of poor quality, monopolistic tendencies, and non-issuance of licenses have been thoroughly debunked. There is a need for a clarification to clear the negative perception caused by these reports.”

Last week, NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed claimed that diesel from the Dangote Refinery was inferior to imported products and highlighted that the refinery had not yet been commissioned, criticizing its monopolistic tendencies.

In response, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, refuted Ahmed’s claims, asserting that the diesel and other products from his refinery were of high quality.

The Senate, House of Representatives, and Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, have intervened to resolve the dispute between Dangote Refinery and NMDPRA. The House Committee on Midstream and Downstream has launched an investigation into the matter.

Additionally, Lokpobiri convened a meeting with Dangote, Ahmed, and Mele Kyari, Group CEO of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to address the ongoing issues in the sector.