Reps Orders Dangote, NMDPRA, Others To Stop Media Attacks Pending Conclusion Of Its Probe

The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, and oil marketers to refrain from making public accusations against each other, using the media.

This directive is contained in a press statement issued by the Reps Joint Petroleum Committee on Monday while reacting to the alleged non-availability of crude oils for refineries operating in the country.

This online medium had recently reported how NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed highlighted concerns over the consistency and standardisation of the output of Aliko Dangote’s refinery.

NMDPRA boss said the quality of Dangote Refinery products was inferior compared to imported ones.

He also claimed that Dangote Refinery had yet to be licensed by the appropriate agency and yet to be completed for smooth operation.

He said, “I think we have about 45% completion. We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation because Dangote is requesting that we suspend or stop imports, especially of AGO and DPK, and direct all marketers to his refinery.

“That is not good for the nation in terms of energy security, and it is not good for the market because of the monopoly.”

In responding to Ahmed’s comments, Aliko Dangote said he stopped his earlier plans of investing in the Nigerian steel sector to avoid monopoly allegations as raised by the NMDPRA boss.

He said he is willing to sell off his refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for citizens to know his investments are aimed at growing the country.

Meanwhile, Nigerian tweeps have called for the resignation of Farouk Ahmed.

The netizens accused him of economic sabotage and paining the Nigerian economy in bad light.

Meanwhile, The Reps Joint Petroleum Committee on Monday said it had commenced an investigation into the importation of adulterated petroleum products, non-availability of crude to refineries, threats to energy security.

It also ordered NMDPRA, Dangote, and marketers to stop media attacks pending the conclusion of the investigation.

According to the statement, letters of invitation for paper submissions and appearances have been dispatched to key stakeholders, including the Minister for Petroleum (Oil), the management of NNPCL, the GCEO Mele Kyari, Executive Vice President Downstream, and Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Operations Officers, and their lab heads or testing partners.

Others include IPMAN, PETROAN, NUPRC CEO, independent oil producers, international oil companies (IOCs), importers, marketers, and depot owners.

The statement added that “the investigation aims to identify and resolve the underlying issues plaguing Nigeria’s petroleum sector, the lawmakers urged relevant stakeholders to deviate from any attack on media pending conclusion of investigation.”