In a bid to address ongoing disputes surrounding the Dangote Refinery, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, alongside other key stakeholders, held a crucial meeting with Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group. The refinery, located in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, has recently been at the center of a regulatory conflict.
In recent weeks, tensions escalated when the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that the government had yet to license the refinery for operational commencement. This regulatory hurdle has been a significant point of contention between Dangote and Nigeria’s regulatory bodies.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, was a part of concerted efforts to resolve these issues. According to a statement by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Minister Lokpobiri, the discussion included prominent figures such as the Authority Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed; the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
“The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving,” the statement read.
During the meeting, Minister Lokpobiri emphasized the necessity of cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the vitality and success of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which he highlighted as crucial for the nation’s economic growth and energy security.
“This meeting marks a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the Minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” added the minister’s aide.
All attendees expressed their gratitude to Minister Lokpobiri for his leadership and intervention, indicating a collective resolve to address the regulatory and operational challenges facing the Dangote Refinery.
