Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has shed light on why the initial samples of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from his refinery are clearer than the petrol currently available in the market. During a recent broadcast at the Ibeju-Lekki facility in Lagos State, he emphasized that this clearer petrol is more environmentally friendly and could mitigate health risks linked to polluted petroleum products. Additionally, Dangote noted that this new petrol would help safeguard engines from damage often caused by the murky petrol typically found in circulation.
He said, “This is the sample of the petrol. You see it as a different colour, but that is the real deal. You are now going to have a good and genuine product.”
Regarding the colour of the diesel, he said, “I am sure Nigerians have not seen this colour of diesel before,” Dangote stated. “This is called Euro-5 diesel. It contains less than 10 parts per million (PPM) of sulphur. This will help vehicles, engines, and generators last longer.”
He further stressed, “The health of the people and the environment will not be compromised. This is the real deal.”
Before this announcement, Dangote Group’s management revealed that international oil companies required the sale of crude oil to their refinery to be conducted through foreign agents.
They contended that local crude prices would keep escalating as trading firms were selling cargoes at $2 to $4 per barrel above the official price established by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
The group also claimed that foreign oil producers seemed to prioritize selling the crude oil extracted in Nigeria to Asian markets.
It was reported in August on a dispute between the Dangote refinery and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) regarding an alleged supply of 29 million barrels of crude oil to the refinery.
The Dangote Group accused the NUPRC of failing to properly enforce the Domestic Crude Supply Obligations regulations, asserting that the refinery had not received a sufficient amount of locally sourced crude oil.
In response, the NUPRC refuted these claims, stating that it had facilitated the delivery of over 29 million barrels of crude oil to Dangote from January to June 2024. The NUPRC emphasized its commitment to ensuring domestic crude oil supplies to the Dangote refinery and other refineries through its monthly production curtailment platform.
