The lower chamber of the legislature, the house of Representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, pending the outcome of an investigation into his comments about Dangote refined petroleum products.
This request followed the adoption of an urgent motion by Esosa Iyawe, addressing the conflict between Dangote Refinery and the Authority.
Iyawe noted that fuel quality affects engine hardware, advocating for ultra-low sulfur diesel for various applications, including companies, power plants, storage tanks, industrial facilities, fleets, heavy equipment, and ships.
He explained that high sulfur content in fuels damages engines and contributes to air pollution. Additionally, sulfur dioxide has severe environmental and health consequences, including respiratory system damage, compromised lung function, and even cancer.
He stated, “The unsubstantiated remarks by the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, which have been disproven, caused public outrage. Nigerians viewed his comments undermining local refineries and advocating for continued fuel importation as economic sabotage, especially since imported products contain high levels of harmful compounds.”
This development follows the House Committee on Midstream and Downstream’s investigation into the dispute between Ahmed and Dangote Group Chairman, Aliko Dangote.
In the past four days, Ahmed’s claim that Dangote Refinery’s petroleum products were inferior sparked numerous allegations and counter-allegations from both sides.
Meanwhile, Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has intervened to resolve the crisis between NMDPRA and Dangote Refinery.
