**FG Awaits Sulphur Content Report on Dangote Diesel Amid Quality Claims**
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is anticipating new reports to verify the sulphur content of diesel produced by the Dangote refinery. This comes after the refinery refuted allegations of producing inferior fuel.
George Ene-Ita, NMDPRA spokesman, stated in an interview with The PUNCH that the agency has performed its duties and will not engage in public disputes regarding the claims made by NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, who asserted that Dangote’s diesel has higher sulphur content than imported fuel.
Ene-Ita noted that 15 engineers and scientists from the authority are stationed at the Dangote refinery, and a fresh report on the refinery’s sulphur content is expected today.
Ahmed had previously alleged that diesel from the Dangote refinery contains high sulphur content. He also mentioned that despite selling diesel and aviation fuel in Nigeria for months, the refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed.
Ahmed argued that relying solely on the Dangote refinery for fuel supply is not viable and that the refinery had requested the regulator to halt import licenses for other marketers, which he deemed detrimental to energy security and market competition.
In response, Dangote asserted that their products are of superior quality. During a tour by House of Representatives members, Dangote presented test results showing their diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, compared to 1,800 ppm and 2,000 ppm from two other stations.
Dangote challenged the regulator to verify the quality of their products against imports, emphasizing transparency and advocating for impartial assessments.
Ene-Ita commented that a lot could have changed in five days since the initial pronouncement, and updated reports from embedded engineers would provide a clearer picture.
Meanwhile, Dangote refinery is exploring crude supply from Libya and Angola to address domestic supply challenges. Since starting operations in January, the refinery has faced issues with obtaining sufficient crude in Nigeria and has resorted to importing from Brazil and the US.
Despite these challenges, the refinery has exported significant quantities of diesel and aviation fuel to Europe. Dangote has called for more government support, criticizing the NMDPRA for granting licenses for importing lower-quality diesel.
Online, some Nigerians have called for the dismissal of the NMDPRA chief, and the House of Representatives has announced an investigation into the allegations.
Punch