Nigerians demand removal of NMDPRA boss over Dangote refinery – Newstrends
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Nigerians demand removal of NMDPRA boss over Dangote refinery

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Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed

Nigerians demand removal of NMDPRA boss over Dangote refinery

Nigerians have called out the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed, for saying the diesel produced by the $20bn Dangote refinery is inferior to the ones imported into the country.

It appears Ahmed incurred the wrath of Nigerians, who accused him of trying to demarket the refinery owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

PUNCH Online reported earlier that Ahmed had told the Dangote refinery that the Federal Government would not stop the importation of petroleum products, saying Nigeria cannot depend on one refinery to feed the nation.

The agency also said the diesel from the Dangote refinery contains a high sulphur content of about 1,000 parts per million.

Reacting to allegations that the NMDPRA was giving licences to some traders to import dirty fuel into Nigeria, Ahmed argued that it was the Dangote fuel that had the larger content of sulphur.

He revealed that the refinery, which has been selling diesel and aviation fuel in Nigeria for months, has not been licensed, stating that it is still at the pre-commissioning stage.

“The claim by some media houses that there were steps to scuttle the Dangote refinery is not so. The Dangote refinery is still in the pre-commissioning stage. It has not been licensed yet; we haven’t licensed them yet. They are still in the pre-commissioning. I think they have about 45 per cent completion,” he declared.

The NMDPRA boss warned that Nigeria cannot rely heavily on the Dangote refinery for its fuel supply.

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According to him, the refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers so as to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria.

“We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO and direct all marketers to the refinery, that is not good for the nation in terms of energy security. And that is not good for the market, because of monopoly,” he stressed.

Speaking about quality, he said, “So, in terms of quality, currently the AGO quality in terms of sulphur is the lowest as far as the West African requirement of 50 ppm is concerned.

“Dangote refinery and some modular refineries, like Waltersmith refinery and Aradel refinery, are producing between 650 to 1,200ppm. So, in terms of quality, their product is much more inferior to the imported quality,” he alleged.

While the Dangote Group has yet to react officially to the allegations from the chief executive, Nigerians have taken to social media to demand Ahmed’s removal by President Bola Tinubu.

An X user, Ohiozoje Augustine, said, “He should be immediately relieved of his duties to prevent the damaging impression that his actions were endorsed by those at the top.”

@realist_waley opined: “It’s a very deliberate reckless talk that should warrant a query from the government. This is an obvious economic sabotage and that guy needs to be suspended.”

@Talk2me001, replied the NMDPRA boss: “This is your own selfish agenda. Why do we need to import when we already have Dangote producing legally? Truly, Dangote is right then, that the oil cabals are more dangerous than drug cabals.”

@Dankatsina50 said: “This is a strategy to frustrate Dangote refinery. This has been the game of the oil cabals that has made a whole country not have a single functioning refinery for years. They should allow him to be selling the inferior one to us like that, we will buy it.”

@Gviev commented, “I hope the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and Minister of Finance are listening to this man. We are talking about promoting local production and exports to reduce demand for foreign exchange and strengthen the naira. He and the oil marketers are rather focused on their selfish interest to keep importing and depressing the naira.

“You should be talking about competition for local producers instead of trying to manipulate Nigerians to focus on your propaganda that Dangote wants a monopoly. Well, it’s Nigeria that will suffer it because Dangote Refinery will just focus on exports.”

Johnson Ayodeji asked, “Oga, is it Dangote that made the government-owned refineries moribund for decades? or has Dangote stopped any other person from building a refinery? We know the enemies of our country.”

Sola Solarin claimed, “This statement is self-indicting. If Dangote has not been licensed, why is he being allowed to sell diesel? If Dangote can meet our local needs, why do we need to import? We can restrict import without compromising energy security.”

Nigerians demand removal of NMDPRA boss over Dangote refinery

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Tinubu: Fuel subsidy removal aimed at securing future for unborn generations

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu: Fuel subsidy removal aimed at securing future for unborn generations

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said he removed fuel subsidy to protect the future of the unborn generation.

President Tinubu stated this at the inauguration of the National Youth Congress Planning Committee at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, declaring that the government policies were designed to secure a prosperous future.

He said: “I’ve listened to you carefully, today is not for long speeches, I just want to reassure you that you are the hope of the country. Everything hangs on your future, every decision that I’ve taken is all about tomorrow.

“When you remove oil subsidy, you’re protecting the future of generations yet unborn, the youth. Where’s the investment for the infrastructure? When you listen to majority of professionals talking about Japa, leaving Nigeria, it’s because if you grow prosperity back home and you empower people, they will not bother to leave, they will stay home. This is your home, to develop, build and make prosper.

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“Government of the day is all about you, take it very seriously. You can abuse politicians all you like, but politics is about development and about the future generation. I’m glad you are all here as a committee to inspire today, tomorrow and day after. I’m with you.”

Further, he said: “ When we started, it looked so foggy, dicey and hopeless. We tried hard and we were fetching water from a dry well, but today, the economy has turned the corner, prices are falling, confidence in our economy is improving, investors are looking in, technology is advancing. You have the opportunity.

“I’ve listened to the remark of your spokesperson, you have the great opportunity of advancing the development of this country, it’s all in your hands. Mine is to help navigate and push and lift the heavy weight problems, so I can clear the path for you to have a very great future, but it’s in your hands.

“Look at me in the face, tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way you want things done or suggestions. We’ll try to implement all of it as long as it is for the prosperity of this country.

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Tinubu: Fuel subsidy removal aimed at securing future for unborn generations

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Hajj: NAHCON proposes May 6 for inaugural airlift

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Hajj: NAHCON proposes May 6 for inaugural airlift

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has proposed May 6th for the inaugural airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.

Speaking at the signing of agreement with selected airlines to participate in the Hajj operations, on Monday in Abuja, NAHCON’s Commissioner for Operations, Inspectorate and License, Prince Anofi Elegushi, said this is to prepare the airlines for premium service for Nigerian pilgrims during the airlift operations.

It would be recalled that the commission had announced Max Air, Air Peace, UMZA Airline and FlyNas as the selected airlines to airlift the 52,000 pilgrims under the state allocation.

Speaking during the event, Elegushi urged the airlines to ensure no hiccup in the exercise.

He added that this year’s operations would see payment made promptly but will be in naira for Nigerian carriers and Saudi riyal for the sole Saudi carrier.

“We are trying to do away with the dollar component. What we want to do is to pay in the local currency of all the airlines. And the payment will be made according to the current rate per dollar during the instalment payment period.”

“So, as the chairman promised earlier, that payment will be made promptly. The tenure of you waiting endlessly for you to get your payment is over.

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“Also, the percentage of payment that will be made will be enough for you to finish the operation and after the operation, a little reconciliation, and then the balance will be paid immediately as we too are much more concerned about, you know, sudden increments in the dollar rates. So that’s why we’ll make all the payment very snappy within the period.”

Speaking earlier, NAHCON’s Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman Saleh, said the airlift of pilgrims is one of the most significant aspects of the Hajj operation.

“It requires absolute professionalism, efficiency and dedication. This process is not just about transportation; it is about fulfilling a spiritual obligation with dignity, safety and comfort.”

He said the airlines engaged have undergone a thorough selection process based on merit, reliability and proven capacity.

“NAHCON was careful in ensuring that only the most competent, well-equipped and passenger-friendly airlines are entrusted with this noble task.

“Your experience and track record in handling large-scale operations, especially Hajj-related services, have given us confidence in your ability to deliver a smooth Hajj airlift.”

He reminded them that pilgrims’ comfort, safety and convenience remain paramount from pre-boarding services to in-flight experience and post-arrival logistics, adding that” We expect nothing short of excellence.”

Hajj: NAHCON proposes May 6 for inaugural airlift

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Nigeria, UAE meet over visa restrictions

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Nigeria, UAE meet over visa restrictions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will resolve issues related to visa procurement for Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in a statement following the visit of Amb. Salem Alshamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the decision was made during a meeting with Alshamsi.

She acknowledged that Nigerians had faced difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, especially tourism visas.

This challenge, according to her, persisted in spite of the warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships between the two countries.

“Nigeria has remained committed to the relationship. The city of Dubai in the UAE has become a popular destination for many Nigerians.

“Officially, about 12,000 Nigerians live in the UAE, ranging from unskilled workers to professionals and students across various institutions,” she said.

She noted that in 2015, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, particularly Dubai, spending between 100 million dollars to 150 million dollars on visas alone, and more than 1 billion dollars on shopping, school fees, tourism, and other activities.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for a more balanced economic relationship between both countries.

The minister further mentioned concerns regarding the current visa status for the UAE, noting that even some top Nigerian government officials had raised their concerns.

She also pointed out that a joint commission between the two countries was due after the one hosted by the UAE in 2022.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to the UAE government for their recent donation of relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria, as well as vaccines for chickenpox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions.

“There is a need to communicate the new visa policy, if any, to Nigerians.

“We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria, where we will address various bilateral issues, including power, renewable energy, and more,” she said.

Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and lauded the progress made in the 50-year Nigeria-UAE relationship.

He acknowledged that visas for both government officials and private individuals had been issued over the past year and a half, with the process handled by an appointed agent.

He assured that the UAE was committed to resolving the visa challenges faced by Nigerians and emphasised that both countries would work together to foster stronger economic partnerships.

“We have issued more than 700 tourism visas since July 2024, and I have had zero visa rejections since I assumed office,” Alshamsi stated.

He also promised to continue signing agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a major agreement expected to be signed ahead of the Nigerian president’s visit to the UAE in the second quarter of 2025.

Nigeria, UAE meet over visa restrictions

(NAN)

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