A meeting was held on Monday between the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, to address concerns surrounding the Dangote Refinery.
The refinery, located in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, has been at the center of a dispute between Dangote and Nigerian regulatory authorities in recent weeks.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had stated that the government had not yet licensed the refinery to begin operations. To resolve the issues, Lokpobiri and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector met with Dangote.
Attendees included Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA; Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); and Mele Kyari, Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
According to a statement by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the minister, the attendees expressed gratitude to Lokpobiri for his leadership and intervention in efforts to resolve the issues.
“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.
At the meeting, Minister Lokpobiri emphasized the crucial role of collaboration among stakeholders in driving the success of the oil and gas sector.
He highlighted the sector’s significance in Nigeria’s economic development and energy security, stressing that collective efforts are essential for achieving sustainable growth and prosperity.
“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,” the minister’s aide said.
