Dangote Insists Diesel 80% Better Than Imported Products
. Demonstrates Quality To Visiting Reps Leaders
By Sulaimon Salau
Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has condemned the allegations against the quality of its products, insisting that its refined diesel is 80% superior to those currently imported into Nigeria.
In a statement released by the company’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejine, Dangote Industries Limited called reports of producing high-sulfur diesel “mischievous and aimed at tarnishing our reputation.”
The NMDPRA boss Farouk Ahmed, had earlier alleged that local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, are producing inferior products compared to imports.
Reacting to this report, Dangote said the allegation was false, baseless, and mischievous.
Chiejine said the refinery is designed to produce top-quality petroleum products that meet strict international standards.
“The false and misleading allegations made by some media outlets that the Dangote Refinery is producing substandard diesel which is why it reduced the price by 37%, is baseless and mischievous.
“Until late last year, diesel imports into Nigeria were up to 7,000 parts per million (ppm) of Sulphur which has been going on for many years. Our diesel is produced currently at significantly lower levels of Sulphur; as such, we find baseless the allegation that the reason for the reduction is linked to quality. What we are producing is 80% of what is being imported into the country.
“Another inaccurate assertion is that Medium Level Sulphur diesel is meant for off-road use. This is a completely false statement as this would have invariably meant that all the imports for the last 20 years have been damaging equipment.
“Thirdly, diesel imports for the high Sulphur grade have been at significantly higher prices until we started operation. If indeed high Sulphur diesel is sold at lower prices how come we never saw the lower prices until now?” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the House of Representatives visited the refinery located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos today (Saturday).
Reps Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and his deputy Benjamin Kalu led the delegation from the House.
To back his position, Dangote and his team tested diesel bought from two filling stations and that from his refinery at the refinery’s laboratories.
The tested diesel from other stations was bought in the presence of the lawmakers, while that from the Dangote Refinery was taken from production also in the presence of the lawmakers.
Two tests were conducted; a test of the sulphur level and a flash test. While all crude-based products contain some level of sulphur, high sulphur levels cause damage to engines and vehicle components.
The flash point refers to the lowest temperature at which the application of the ignition source causes the vapours above the liquid to ignite with the minimum expected flash point at 66.
The results showed that the sulphur content in the diesel from other stations was above 2,631 and 1,829; much higher than the recommended level while the tests for the flash point showed results of 26 and 63 respectively for the diesel from other stations. Both results fell short of the recommended minimum of 66.
The results for the diesel from Dangote turned out to be 87.6 ppm for sulphur and 96 flashpoints.
For Dangote, the result does not only show the reality of products from his refinery, but it also shows that substandard petroleum products are being imported into the country and sold to unsuspecting Nigerians.
