![L-R Eng Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),Sen Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D Minister of petroleum Resources [oil], Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) after a closed-door meeting to resolve the Dangote Refinery Impass](https://www.icirnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dangote-and-Minister-meeting-to-resolve-crisis-scaled.jpg "L-R Eng Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),Sen Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D Minister of petroleum Resources [oil], Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) after a closed-door meeting to resolve the Dangote Refinery Impass")
THE Minister of State Petroleum Resources (oil) Heineken Lokpobiri, has met with the chairman and chief executive officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, and the chief executive officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, (NMDPRA)
The meeting was held on Monday, July 21, to resolve ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery, according to a statement by the minister’s special adviser on media and communication, Nneamaka Okafor.
It also focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the challenges facing the Dangote Refinery, with the parties promising to jointly address the issues.
At the meeting, 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.
Dangote and the Nigerian petroleum regulator – NMDPRA – have been at daggers-drawn over his refinery’s access to Nigeria’s crude with the regulator recently casting doubt over the quality of his diesel.
The impasse between both parties also led to Dangote’s affirmation that the NNPCL did not own a 20 per cent share in his company because of failure to fulfil certain payment obligations.
The business mogul had admitted regrets, in investing over $20 billion in the refinery.
He has been lamenting how difficult it has been to get the feedstock required to keep his company’s 650,000 capacity running, compelling it to source crude oil supply from Brazil and the United States.
Against this backdrop, the minister said that the meeting marked a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscored his dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Present at the meeting are the chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote,
The ICIR reported the visit of the members of the House of Representatives to the Dangote Refinery on Saturday, July 19.
A laboratory test conducted by the lawmakers during the visit, however, showed that Dangote oil was not inferior to those imported as claimed by NMDPRA, prompting the lawmakers to institute an independent inquiry into possible importation of dirty fuels into the country.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.