Table of Contents
Key Points:
- Aliko Dangote’s refinery is criticized for producing diesel with sulphur levels exceeding environmental standards.
- Marketers and Dangote officials deny issues, citing no consumer complaints and suggest political motivations behind allegations.
- Regulatory bodies clash with Dangote, debating the actual sulphur content and environmental compliance of the diesel produced.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest individual, faces scrutiny as accusations surface about high sulphur content in diesel from his Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Despite a $20-billion investment, recent reports claim that the diesel’s sulphur levels exceed acceptable environmental standards, raising widespread concerns.
Marketers fault rejection report
Oil marketers and Dangote Industries officials have defended the diesel’s quality. Abubakar Maigandi, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, reports no consumer complaints, suggesting that political motives or attempts to damage the refinery’s reputation might be behind the allegations.
Meanwhile, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, accuses the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and international oil companies of attempting to thwart the refinery’s operations.
He highlights that Dangote’s project is the only one among 25 licensed initiatives to materialize, alleging that competitors are importing inferior fuel to undermine Dangote’s market presence.
Conflict with regulatory standards
In contrast, NMDPRA CEO Farouk Ahmed claims that Dangote diesel shows higher sulphur levels than imports, which adhere to the West African standard of 50 parts per million (ppm).
However, recent tests during a legislative tour revealed a much lower sulphur content of 87.6 ppm in Dangote’s diesel, challenging the regulator’s earlier claims.
This controversy underscores tensions between Dangote Industries and regulatory bodies, with critical implications for Nigeria’s environmental policies and fuel market.
As the debate continues, ensuring quality standards and environmental compliance remains a focal point in one of Africa’s most industrial ventures.
