Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed revealed that billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has requested a total suspension of fuel importation into the country. According to Ahmed, Dangote’s intention is to direct all oil marketers to his refinery for fuel supply.
Ahmed nonetheless underlined that the regulatory body is unlikely to grant this request due to worries about monopoly formation and the poor quality of oil produced by the Dangote Refinery.
“Dangote’s request to stop importation and direct marketers to his refinery is not in the best interest of national energy security and market competition,” Ahmed said
The Chief Executive also added that the Dangote Refinery, still in its pilot phase, has not received licensing yet and has only achieved 45 percent completion. He expressed his doubt about relying completely on Dangote refinery to meet the Nigeria pressing fuel demands.
Furthermore, Ahmed pinpoint the major difference between imported fuels and Dangote Refinery’s products. “ The quality standards of imported fuel can’t be compared to refinery’s output, due to its low sulfur content ” he explained.
