Dangote Refinery: Reps Call For Suspension of NMDPRA CEO

The House of Representatives has called for the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to be suspended until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into charges against the authority.

The demand came after Hon. Esosa Iyawe introduced a resolution of urgent public significance to address the impact from purported unguarded words attributed to the NMDPRA CEO. Hon. Iyawe emphasised the importance of fuel quality on engine hardware and advocated for the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel in a variety of industries to reduce engine damage and air pollution.

“Governments worldwide have set stringent standards to minimize sulfur emissions, given the severe environmental and health risks posed by sulfur dioxide, which can harm the respiratory system, impair lung function, and even cause cancer,” Hon. Iyawe noted. He pointed out that the NMDPRA currently permits local refiners to produce diesel with sulfur content up to 650 parts per million (ppm) until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS.

Citing sulphur content levels ranging from 650 to 1,200 parts per million, Hon. Iyawe accused the NMDPRA Chief Executive of making recent statements that diesel produced at the Dangote refinery was inferior to fuel imported.

In contrast, imported samples had sulphur levels of 1800 ppm and 2000 ppm, respectively, and Dangote’s diesel had a sulphur content of 87.6 ppm, according to a later test overseen by members of the House of Representatives.

“These findings contradict the NMDPRA Chief Executive’s statements and raise concerns about the issuance of licenses to traders importing high-sulfur diesel into Nigeria, posing significant health risks and financial losses to Nigerians,” Hon. Iyawe stated.

Hon. Iyawe criticised the NMDPRA Chief Executive’s remarks as unprofessional and unpatriotic, particularly in light of mounting public anger and demands for protests against the Federal Government.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli