Kwankwaso: FG Must Demonstrate Fairness In Dangote Refinery Project

• The NNPP leader said recent controversy unnecessary.
• He also warned against undoing investor confidence.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has called on the federal government to ensure success of the Dangote refinery project.

WITHIN NIGERIA understands that refinery has been embroiled in controversies and disputes with Nigerian regulatory agencies.

Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Refinery, claimed on June 4 that some international oil companies were having difficulties supplying crude oil to his facility.

However, Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, disputed this claim on July 15, stating that the Petroleum Industry Act allows for willing buyer-willing seller transactions.

Further controversy arose when Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, alleged on July 18 that local refineries, including Dangote’s, were producing lower-quality products compared to imported ones and accused Dangote of monopolistic practices.

Dangote refuted these claims on July 20, asserting that his refinery’s products meet standards.

In a surprising turn, Dangote expressed willingness to sell the refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Sunday.

In response, the House of Representatives initiated an investigation into these allegations on Monday.

In a post published X Page on Wednesday, Kwankwaso described the recent controversy surrounding its integrity as an ”unnecessary fuss.”

Kwankwaso said the Nigerian government must exhibit fairness towards such a monumental project.

“I was privileged to visit the magnificent Dangote Refinery, and I was marveled by the sheer commitment that went into the quality of its establishment,” he wrote.

” This 650,000 bpd refinery is essential for our energy needs and economic stability, and it must be protected from all forms of threat.

“The creation of unnecessary fuss around its integrity by some vested interests is very unfortunate, and it stands to undo all the years of hard work to maintain the fragile investor confidence in our economy.

“It’s time for us to rally around this National Asset to ensure that the monumental project does not fail. It cannot fail, and the Nigerian government must understand this by demonstrating fairness and confidence in both domestic and foreign critical investments. – RMK”