The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has firmly denied allegations of dirty fuel being imported into Nigeria. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with oil marketers and local refiners at the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Ogbugo Ukoha, assured the public of the quality of petroleum products entering the country.

"There is no dirty fuel that we would encourage to come into Nigeria. And there is no dirty fuel being brought in," Ukoha stated emphatically.

This statement comes in response to accusations made by Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL). Edwin had claimed that International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria were attempting to undermine the Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals by importing substandard refined products. Edwin also criticized the NMDPRA for allegedly granting licenses indiscriminately to importers of dirty fuel.

The NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only high-quality petroleum products are supplied and consumed in Nigeria. Ukoha explained that in 2020, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) endorsed the Afri-5 fuel roadmap, which mandates a maximum of 50 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur in imported fuels. While immediate compliance was expected for imports, local refineries were given until December 31, 2024, to meet this standard.

Ukoha noted that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 upholds this ECOWAS treaty, and the NMDPRA has been actively enforcing compliance. He reported a downward trend in sulphur content in imported products, with significant improvements since February.

"As of June, the average sulphur content in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) imported into Nigeria is well below the 50 ppm legal limit," Ukoha stated. "Local refineries, while currently operating under deferred standards, are also installing desulphurisation units to reduce sulphur levels to as low as 10 ppm in the near future."

Ukoha assured that the NMDPRA is dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians. "There is no dirty fuel being brought in, and we have the statistics to prove it. The sulphur content of imported fuels has significantly decreased, meeting and often exceeding regulatory requirements."

The meeting between NMDPRA officials, oil marketers, and local refiners aimed to foster collaboration and ensure energy security in Nigeria. Discussions addressed pricing, competition, and other significant industry issues.