Dangote says he wants NMDPRA boss investigated, gives reasons 

The President of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has clarified his position on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr Farouk Ahmed, saying he does not want him sacked but investigated. 

Dangote, while answering questions from journalists during a press conference on Sunday, accused the leadership of the regulatory body of economic sabotage and being unfair to his 650,000bpd Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.

He added that calling for Ahmed’s investigation was for him to clear his name on whether he has compromised against the interests of Nigerians as a government official or not. 

“No, I don’t want Farouk to be sacked. But I want Farouk to be investigated and then also let the legal process take its toll,” he said.

Continuing, Dangote explained that the NMDPRA boss, through the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) or court of law, needed to explain how he was able to fund the education of his children for six years abroad.

“Let them now see whether his income matches the $5 million he has paid school fees for six years for four of his children.

“This without tickets or this without anything. And then also after that; they all have finished university. If you give those accounts, then his name would be clear.

“He doesn’t need to be sacked. But let him clear that he has not compromised his various positions in government at the cost of Nigerians when a lot of people in Sakoto; they can’t even go to school because of 100,000 Naira.”

Dangote further added that before considering owning oil blocks, he’s fixated on ensuring the regulations in the oil and gas sector are fair to everybody.

“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? 

“You need to fix the problem of 380 which carries 700 and something passengers before you now go to the lower one. So, when we address the issue here, everything goes well, then we will now go into buying oil blocks to participate. And, you know, it’s the right thing to do.

“But you also want to play with regulations that actually are very fair to everybody. That’s number one.”

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