The House of Representatives has called for the suspension of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA), Faruk Ahmad, pending a thorough investigation into allegations against the authority.
This action follows the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Hon. Esosa Iyawe, who highlighted the need to address the public outrage stemming from the chief’s recent controversial comments.
The NMDPRA boss was alleged to have stated that diesel produced by the Dangote refinery was inferior to imported diesel, citing sulfur content levels between 650 and 1,200 ppm.
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Hon. Iyawe reminded the House that fuel quality directly impacts engine performance and environmental health, emphasizing that ultra-low sulfur diesel is recommended for various sectors, including power plants, industrial facilities, and fleets, due to its lower environmental impact. He noted that high sulfur content in fuels damages engines and contributes to air pollution.
“Governments worldwide have taken steps to regulate sulfur emissions by setting stringent standards,” Iyawe said. “Sulfur dioxide has dire environmental and health consequences, damaging the human respiratory system, compromising lung function, and potentially causing cancer.”
The Edo lawmaker pointed out that the NMDPRA currently permits local refiners to produce diesel with sulfur content up to 650 parts per million (ppm) until January 2025, as approved by ECOWAS.
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In response, Dangote called for a test of their products, supervised by members of the House of Representatives. The test revealed that Dangote’s diesel had a sulfur content of 87.6 ppm, while imported samples showed sulfur levels exceeding 1,800 ppm and 2,000 ppm, disproving the NMDPRA chief’s allegations.
“Allegations have been made that the NMDPRA is granting licenses to traders importing high-sulfur-content diesel into Nigeria,” Iyawe said. “The use of such products poses grave health risks and results in significant financial losses for Nigerians.”
He criticized the NMDPRA chief for making unguarded statements without prior investigation, calling the remarks unprofessional and unpatriotic, especially amid recent calls for protests against the federal government.
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The House of Representatives has urged the suspension of the NMDPRA Chief Executive pending a conclusive investigation into these allegations. The controversy has sparked widespread public anger, with many accusing the NMDPRA of undermining local refineries and prioritizing harmful imported fuels.