Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria's Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, met with Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA's Farouk Ahmed on July 22, 2024, to address issues affecting the Dangote Refinery. The meeting aimed to resolve conflicts and improve collaboration for the refinery's success and Nigeria's energy sector.
Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, convened a crucial meeting with Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Group, and Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on July 22, 2024.
The gathering aimed to address ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
The meeting, also attended by Gbenga Komolafe of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Mele Kyari of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, was a significant step towards resolving conflicts impacting the refinery’s operations.
According to Nneamaka Okafor, Lokpobiri's media adviser, all parties expressed appreciation for the minister’s swift action in facilitating the dialogue.
The discussions focused on resolving the current challenges affecting the refinery and sought a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Lokpobiri emphasized the necessity of cooperation among stakeholders to ensure the success of Nigeria's oil and gas sector, which is crucial for the nation's economic growth and energy security.
Previously, Dangote had reported difficulties in securing crude oil supplies for his refinery. Conversely, Komolafe dismissed these claims, stating that the Petroleum Industry Act supports transactions between buyers and sellers.
Recently, Dangote suggested selling the refinery to NNPC, citing ongoing frustrations and allegations of product quality issues. The meeting underscores a commitment to resolving these disputes and improving the sector’s efficiency.