Oil communities in Nigeria declare support for Dangote amid dispute with regulators

This threat issued by the group was directed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and International Oil Companies (IOCs) amid the heated dispute between Aliko Dangote and Nigerian oil regulators.

Last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) alleged that the Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, was producing inferior-quality diesel and had devised plans to monopolise the downstream petroleum sector in Nigeria.

Following the accusations, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) released a statement accusing the regulators and IOCs of sabotaging their efforts to secure crude supply.

Aliko Dangote himself attended multiple press rounds, speaking about the lack of support from the government and challenges of doing business in the country.

In the wake of the ongoing dispute, HOSTCOM said it will renew agitation for greater autonomy and control of their natural resources if regulators continue their hostile attitude towards Dangote.

The group, comprising all the states producing oil and gas in Nigeria, expressed frustration over the billions spent on maintaining Nigeria’s refineries, which still rely heavily on imported refined products.

During a recent tour of the Dangote Refinery, HOSTCOM, led by the National President, Dr. Benjamin Tamaramiebi, alleged corruption within the oil and gas industry, orchestrated by influential cabals intent on maintaining the status quo.

The group subsequently threatened to publicly name these cabals if the situation did not improve.

“It is obvious why the existing Federal Government Refinery in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna can never work or operate maximally despite the billions of dollars spent on so-called Turnaround Maintenance over the years.

“It is now clear that some persons in government and outside government have been identified as the cabal holding Nigeria’s oil sector by the jugular. We have identified them, and we shall reveal their names to the people of Nigeria if this trend continues,” he said.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to working with Dangote Industries Limited to end the importation of lower-quality and costly refined products into Nigeria.

They also urged the Federal Government to support the Dangote Refinery and other domestic refineries, warning against any sabotage that could hinder progress towards self-sufficiency.

The dispute between Aliko Dangote and Nigerian regulators centres around his $20 billion oil refinery project. Here are the key points:

Quality Concerns: The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently raised concerns about the quality of diesel produced by Dangote’s refinery, alleging it is substandard and unfit for consumers.

Monopoly Allegations: Aliko Dangote has been accused of seeking a monopoly by requesting a ban on diesel imports to boost his refinery’s viability, leading to fears of market dominance.

Supply Issues: Dangote claims the state oil company has not honoured the deal to supply his refinery with 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which has impacted the refinery’s operations.