By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government, through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has intervened in the media war between Mr Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The chief executive of NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, had claimed that diesel from Dangote Refinery in Lagos was of low quality compared with imported ones, adding that the private refinery was only 45 per cent completed as opposed to what Mr Dangote had told the world, and was not licenced to commence operations.
This angered the businessman, who lambasted the regulator for demarketing his company, revealing that tests conducted on his diesel showed low traces of sulphur compared with samples of imported diesel from two petrol stations within his vicinity.
He alleged that some forces were bent on ensuring that the refinery did not work as this would affect their petrol importation business.
The rift was getting messier and attracted the attention of the federal government, which has moved to calm nerves.
In a statement by the Special Adviser Media and Communication to the Minister, Mrs Nneamaka Okafor, it was disclosed that those who attended the meeting included Mr Ahmed; the chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe; and the chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company(NNPC) Limited, Mr Mele Kyari.
“The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving,” the statement read.
Mr Lokpobiri at the meeting restated the importance of cooperation among stakeholders to ensure the success of the oil and gas sector which he said is critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.
“This meeting marks a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the Minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” the Minister’s aide said.
They all thanked the minister for his leadership and intervention in a bid to resolve the issues, the statement announced.
However, bar the statement, it is not immediately clear if the issue has been fully resolved.