Experts have urged the Nigerian federal government to resolve outstanding issues and support the $20 billion Dangote Refinery to attract more local and foreign investments. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) CEO, Farouk Ahmed, stated that the refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage and has not yet been licensed.
In interviews with Vanguard, industry experts emphasized the importance of government support for local production to bolster Nigeria’s economic growth. Chinedu Amah, founder of Spark Nigeria, noted that supporting the Dangote Refinery would reduce the need for importing crude oil and petrol, thus aiding the economy.
Mazi Colman Obasi, President of the Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria (OGSPAN), called on all parties, including the federal government and international oil companies, to resolve the issues surrounding the refinery to encourage further investment in the sector.
An anonymous expert criticized government officials for disparaging the refinery on national television, arguing that such statements undermine local investments and discourage foreign investors.
Farouk Ahmed clarified that the NMDPRA has not attempted to undermine the refinery, which is still incomplete and not yet licensed. He also pointed out that the refinery’s current production quality does not meet the required standards for some petroleum products.
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) expressed concerns about creating a monopoly in the supply of automotive gas oil (AGO) through the Dangote Refinery. They highlighted that despite efforts to meet Afri-5 specifications, local refineries, including Dangote, have not yet achieved the required standards.
