NMDPRA CEO denies responding to Dangote’s allegations

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has debunked a statement purportedly quoting him to react to the allegations made against him by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.

Dangote had accused Ahmed of economic sabotage, which he said is undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.

He also accused the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international traders and oil importers to frustrate local refining through the continued issuance of import licences for petroleum products.

Dangote, on Tuesday, submitted a petition against the NMDPRA CEO to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the allegations.

Nigeria’s commercial property transactions rise to $336m

However, Ahmed, in a statement issued on Wednesday, dismissed the earlier statement circulating on social media, noting that he will not engage in public brickbat with Dangote.

He stated: “My attention has been drawn to a purported response I was said to have made on the recent allegations against my person. I hereby state categorically that the so-called statement did not emanate from me.

“While I am aware of the wild and spurious allegations made against me and my family and the frenzy it has generated, as a regulator of a sensitive industry, I have opted not to engage in public brickbat.

“Thankfully, the person behind the allegations has taken it to a formal investigative institution. I believe that would provide an opportunity to dispassionately distill the issues and to clear my name.”

The Star