..Offers to Sell Refinery To NNPC If…
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has hinted at a possible exit from the Dangote Oil Refinery project due to ongoing difficulties.
Sources close to the billionaire businessman told www.lagosbrief.com that the multi-billion dollar refinery could be offered to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited or other interested buyers.
“I’m open to letting go,” Dangote reportedly stated, suggesting a potential sale to NNPC. “I’m nearing 70, and I don’t need much for my remaining years. Material possessions won’t accompany me beyond this life. My actions are always driven by what benefits Nigeria.”
These sources claim Dangote is increasingly frustrated by “controversies and negative publicity” surrounding the refinery project, allegedly generated by the Federal Government.
“He’s unhappy and disappointed and has become more vocal in the media lately,” one source explained. “He believes the refinery holds greater value for Nigeria than himself.”
Dangote Defends Refinery Products, Challenges NMDPRA
Dangote Group has asserted that its refinery produces diesel of superior quality compared to imported products.
The claim was made following a direct comparison test conducted in the presence of House of Representatives members, according to a statement on Sunday.
Aliko Dangote, the group’s president, challenged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to conduct impartial tests, accusing the agency of favoring imported products.
The billionaire businessman emphasised the refinery’s commitment to producing high-quality fuels that meet international standards.
A side-by-side comparison of diesel samples from Dangote’s refinery and two popular filling stations revealed significantly lower sulfur content in the refinery’s product.
Dangote highlighted the potential health risks and financial implications of importing low-quality diesel with dubious certifications.
The House of Representatives, impressed by the refinery’s facilities and the test results, pledged to investigate the quality of imported petroleum products.
