Aliko Dangote, Nigerian billionaire businessman and industrialist has accused some people in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of importing fake petrol products into the country.

Dangote made this known a public speech where he noted that the NNPC cabals created a petroleum refinery in Malta from where they import inferior fuel into Nigeria.

In the speech aired by local broadcaster, Channels TV, the Africa’s richest man said, “Even at 650,000 bpm and 700,000 bpm that we are producing was a better quality than what was imported. And I am sure most of you will have problems with your vehicle because of the bad fuel that were imported into the country, I still stand by what I said.

“Go to filling station, you can pick it up and check the quality. That is only way. But all these one somebody will bring in ship, bring in fake certificates. Some NNPC people, some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere in Malta. We all know these areas, we know what they are doing.”

He added, “I have been fighting all my life. I am a very fearless person. I believe so much in God and I don’t fear anybody. They can do whatever they want. I am not scared, I will fight head on.”

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, had later chaired a high-level meeting over the challenges facing the Dangote Refinery, Lagos, which the government believes, is a critical project in the oil sector.

A statement on Monday by the Special Adviser Media and Communication to the Minister, Nneamaka Okafor, had said the meeting was attended by Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group; Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Others are “Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).”

According to the statement, the stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the Honourable Minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue. 

The House of Representatives had called on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Aliko Dangote, and oil marketers to refrain from making public accusations against each other, using the media.

The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed had  highlighted concerns over the consistency and standardisation of the output of Aliko Dangote’s refinery.

The NMDPRA boss had said the quality of Dangote Refinery products was inferior compared to imported ones.

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