Civil Society Coalition Issues 7-Day Ultimatum to NMDPRA: Apologize to Dangote Refinery or Face Mass Protests

The Conference of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability (COCTA), a coalition of civil society organizations, has given the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) a 7-day ultimatum to provide concrete evidence and data to support claims that Dangote Refinery’s products do not meet required standards.

Failure to do so will result in mass protests demanding the removal of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, CEO of NMDPRA.

In a letter signed by Comrade Olumuyiwa Onlede, Convener and National Coordinator, and Comrade Haruna Abdulsalam, Director of Communication and Advocacy, COCTA urged NMDPRA to substantiate its claims with empirical evidence within the stipulated timeframe.

The copy of the letter, made available to the press on Thursday in Abuja, emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the regulatory agency’s actions.”

COCTA urges NMDPRA to make public the data and laboratory test results that allegedly show Dangote Refinery’s products do not meet required standards.

Specifically, COCTA requests Certified True Copies of Laboratory Test results conducted on Dangote Refinery products between May 31, 2024, and July 24, 2024. If NMDPRA fails to provide substantiating evidence, COCTA demands a retraction of the claims and a formal apology for any harm caused to Dangote Refinery’s reputation.

COCTA emphasizes that this is a serious allegation, requiring robust substantiation, considering the massive investment and effort invested in building the refinery. The success of the refinery holds significant promise for Nigerians, particularly the potential reduction in Premium Motor Spirit prices. Transparency and accountability are crucial in this matter.”

The Conference of Civil Society for Transparency and Accountability (COCTA) is a formidable coalition of over 500 registered civil society organizations, unified under a shared vision of promoting the rule of law, good governance, moral values, and social justice. Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, COCTA amplifies the voices of its member organizations, advocating for a more just and equitable society through collective action and strategic collaboration.”