In a meeting held today in Abuja, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the integrity of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, countering recent allegations of dirty fuel imports.
The meeting, attended by key stakeholders including oil marketers and local crude oil refiners, addressed critical issues surrounding fuel pricing, competition, and the adherence to quality standards.
The controversy arose following accusations by Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, who claimed that Nigeria was facing an influx of high-sulphur diesel imported under dubious licenses.
Edwin pointed fingers at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), alleging indiscriminate issuance of import licenses for substandard products, despite the local production capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Responding to these allegations, Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, asserted, “There is no dirty fuel being brought into Nigeria.”
He emphasized the stringent measures in place to ensure compliance with ECOWAS standards, which mandate a maximum sulphur content of 50 parts per million (ppm) in refined products.
Ukoha clarified, “Since February, the average sulphur content in imported diesel has consistently remained below the legal threshold of 50ppm, well within the stipulated standards.” He further assured that local refineries are also progressing towards lowering sulphur levels in their products, aligning with international best practices.
The meeting also addressed concerns over market dynamics and fair competition. Gabriel Ogbeche, Group Managing Director of RainOil Ltd, emphasized the importance of maintaining a level playing field between local refiners and international suppliers. “Marketers have the flexibility to source products from various suppliers, including local refineries,” Ogbeche stated, underscoring ongoing collaborations aimed at ensuring industry sustainability.
Rabiu Umar, Group Chief Commercial Officer of Dangote Group, acknowledged the constructive dialogue during the meeting, expressing optimism about future collaborations to enhance the industry’s operational efficiency. “This meeting marks a positive step towards aligning our efforts for the benefit of the entire sector,” Umar affirmed.