Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), has explained that his comments regarding the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, were misunderstood, stressing that he is not calling for Ahmed’s removal from office but for a formal investigation into his conduct.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Dangote, according to The Nigerian Tribune, alleged that the leadership of the petroleum regulatory agency has acted in ways that undermine the economy and has treated the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals unfairly.
He said his demand for an investigation is intended to give Ahmed the opportunity to clear his name and address concerns about whether his actions as a public official have been contrary to the interests of Nigerians.
Dangote also noted that his priority is not acquiring oil blocks, but making sure that the rules governing the oil and gas industry are equitable and applied fairly to all stakeholders.
Further talking, he said, “Let me give you an analogy.You have bought an Airbus 380. And that Airbus 380 hasn’t flown very well. Would you go and order 777? Eh?”
He explained that the immediate focus should be on resolving the bigger, more critical challenges before turning attention to smaller ones, stressing that once those major issues are properly handled, other plans; such as acquiring oil blocks; can then be pursued.
He added that participation in the sector must be guided by regulations that are balanced and applied equally to all, describing fairness in regulation as the top priority.
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