Reps Speaker: Dangote refinery, beacon of hope for Nigeria

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has described Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State as a significant asset in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

The Speaker, who expressed admiration for the infrastructure at the refinery, noted that it positioned itself as a pivotal player, especially at a time when global concerns over energy security and sustainability are paramount.

Abbas said this during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited complex in Lagos alongside some members of the House of Representatives on Saturday, July 20, 2024.

He said: “Today’s (Saturday) visit to the magnificent facilities of Dangote Industries Oil Refinery section has been nothing short of enlightening.

“It has afforded us a rare opportunity to witness first-hand the monumental strides that your organisation has made in transforming the landscape of petroleum production in Nigeria.

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“The sheer scale and sophistication of this facility are awe-inspiring; it stands as a beacon of hope for our country as we navigate through the turbulent waters of energy supply challenges.”

The Speaker added: “Each corner of this facility resonates with the echoes of hard work, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of quality.

“It is evident that every drop produced here carries not just oil but also the hopes and dreams of millions who yearn for a brighter future.

“The daunting economic landscape we navigate especially in these times when our economy grapples with foreign exchange constraints are all formidable adversaries.

“Yet, despite these tribulations, your unwavering commitment to excellence shines through.”

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)  recently alleged that Dangote refinery and other modular refineries like Waltersmith and Aradel produced diesel with sulphur content ranging from 650 to 1200 ppm – a statement criticised by many Nigerians as a tactic to favour imported products over local ones.

“In terms of quality, currently, the AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as West Africa’s requirement of 50 parts per million.

“Dangote refinery as well as some major refineries like Waltersmith refinery produce between 650 ppm to 1,200 ppm. So, in terms of quality, their quality is much more inferior to the imported quality,” the NMDPRA Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed, had said.

The Star