Dangote Refinery Addresses Import Allegations, Details Standard Global Practices
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) has issued a firm rebuttal against recent reports alleging it imports finished petroleum products. The company categorically labeled these claims as false and misleading, attributing them to a fundamental misunderstanding of international refinery operations. The clarification comes amidst broader discussions on industrial transparency, not unlike the scrutiny seen in cases of an alleged $42m fraud, where factual accuracy is paramount.
Standard Industry Practice Explained
During a media briefing at the refinery complex, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director David Bird provided detailed insight into standard global refining processes. He explained that the processing of intermediate or semi-processed feedstocks is a routine practice within the industry and is distinctly different from importing finished, market-ready fuels. This operational clarity is as crucial for public understanding as the details behind a Fresh CPI rebasing are for economic analysis.
Bird emphasized that DPRP operates on a sophisticated merchant refinery model, integrating advanced refining, blending, and trading systems to produce premium fuels that meet stringent European and Asian quality and environmental benchmarks. “Our gasoline is lead-free and MMT-free with 50 parts per million sulphur, while our diesel meets ultra-low sulphur specifications,” Bird stated, underscoring the refinery’s role in elevating regional fuel standards.
Commitment to Quality and Market Stability
The CEO reaffirmed that the refinery only releases fully refined products into the Nigerian market, as semi-finished fuels are unsuitable for consumer vehicles. To demonstrate this, samples of both intermediate feedstocks and final products were displayed to journalists. Bird highlighted the plant’s core mission: to end Nigeria’s history of substandard fuel imports and establish the nation as a hub for high-quality, export-ready products. This transformative impact on the West African energy landscape represents a significant industrial achievement.
Bird further assured sustained product availability, noting the refinery’s significant contribution to easing domestic fuel scarcity. He called on the media to help educate the public on the technical distinction between intermediate feedstocks and finished fuel, urging a move away from misleading narratives. The refinery’s advanced design allows for processing a diverse mix of crude oils and intermediates, ensuring flexibility and consistent output of premium fuels for the market.
