The controversy surrounding the sulphur content in diesel produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to simmer.
According to The PUNCH, recent online claims have suggested that the diesel from the $20 billion refinery has high sulphur content.
However, oil marketers have reported that, despite these allegations, no complaints have been filed by motorists or industrial users about the product.
National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, emphasized, “We don’t want to be involved in the politics or claims and counter-claims about Dangote diesel, but what I’m going to tell you is that no transporter, motorist, or industrial consumer has complained about the diesel since we started distributing it.”
A top Dangote Group official dismissed the high sulphur content allegations as attempts by individuals to undermine the refinery, calling the reports “fake.”
Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote and other company officials previously accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority of importing dirty fuel into Nigeria.
Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, alleged that the NMDPRA was irresponsibly issuing licenses for the importation of contaminated fuels.
He criticized the regulatory authority for favoring imports over local production, despite Dangote’s commitment to meeting ECOWAS regulations. Edwin argued, “The Federal Government issued 25 licences to build refineries and we are the only one that delivered on our promise. In effect, we deserve every support from the government.”
Edwin also claimed that the NMDPRA’s issuance of import licenses had led to the importation of diesel with sulphur content far exceeding permissible limits, contrasting with Dangote’s compliance with international standards.
“Since January 2021, ECOWAS regulations have prohibited the import of highly contaminated diesel into the region,” Edwin added.
In response, NMDPRA Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed denied the sabotage allegations and stated that Dangote’s diesel had higher sulphur content compared to imported products.
Ahmed revealed that the Dangote refinery was still in the pre-commissioning stage, with only 45 percent completion, and criticized the refinery’s request for exclusive supply rights. He remarked that Dangote’s diesel quality was below West African standards, with sulphur levels reported between 650 to 1,200 ppm, as opposed to the lower standards required.
Dangote, during a recent House of Representatives tour led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, asserted that their diesel is of superior quality compared to imports.
The testing of diesel samples from Dangote and other stations showed Dangote’s diesel with a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, while other samples had sulphur levels exceeding 1,800 ppm and 2,000 ppm.
Dangote highlighted, “We produce the best diesel in Nigeria… It is disheartening that instead of safeguarding the market, the regulator is undermining it.” He criticized the authenticity of competing products’ quality certifications, suggesting that many were fraudulent.
The NMDPRA spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, confirmed that engineers and scientists from the NMDPRA are embedded in the refinery to verify the sulphur content.
However, the regulator has not yet released their findings.
Additional online reports alleged that Dangote diesel supplied between April and July had sulphur levels as high as 1,200 ppm.
It was also claimed that a recent shipment to AA Rano’s depot contained 950 ppm of sulphur, with a quality certificate from Intertek dated July 21.
A Dangote official dismissed these reports as falsehoods intended to tarnish the refinery’s reputation.
The refinery, which is expected to begin selling petrol soon, has garnered support from President Bola Tinubu, who has instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude to Dangote in naira.
Civil Society Organizations have announced plans to monitor compliance with the presidential directive for crude supply.
Solomon Adodo of Rise Up for A United Nigeria expressed dismay at the regulatory opposition to Dangote’s refinery, suggesting that vested interests are impeding the nation’s progress.
Adodo said, “We have seen for ourselves and we have cleared all doubt as to the completion of this refinery and its readiness to supply all our domestic needs.”
Dangote’s vision for the refinery is to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and boost local production.
Edwin highlighted that, despite challenges, the refinery aims to add significant value to Nigeria’s economy by producing and exporting refined products.
