Minister Holds Meeting With Oil And Gas Sector Stakeholders
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called a high-level meeting with major stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to address the current issues concerning the Dangote Refinery.
Dangote has been facing disputes with the government regarding his refinery project in Lagos.
President of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, had proposed selling the refinery to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.
The situation deteriorated further when NMDPRA announced that the government had not yet issued a license for the Dangote refinery to commence operations.
To tackle and resolve all these issues, Minister of State Petroleum Resources Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had intervened by calling a high level meeting of stakeholders.
A statement from the Special Adviser Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, to the Minister reads: “The Minister of State Petroleum Resources [Oil], Senator Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to address and resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.”
The spokesperson indicated that attendees at the meeting were: Dangote Group, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Aliko Dangote; Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed; Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mr. Mele Kyari.
The stakeholders, according to the statement, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue.
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.
Lokpobiri, stressed the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Oil and Gas sector, which is pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.
