Dangote refinery has recorded 22 sabotage incidents since inception –  VP

Devakumar Edwin, Dangote Group’s vice-president, says the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has faced 22 incidents of sabotage since inception.

The Dangote Refinery started production on January 12, 2024, beginning with the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and later began processing petrol in September 2024.  

Edwin, who revealed the incidents of sabotage, said the recent reorganisation in the company that led to the sack of some workers, had nothing to do with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The Dangote Group vice-president spoke during a tour of the refinery by Chief Bubaraye Dakolo, the King of Ekpetiama Kingdom and chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council.

Edwin said the reorganisation was necessitated by multiple deliberate acts of sabotage targeted at disrupting production and damaging equipment in the refinery.

He however said that the attempted sabotage were successfully contained due to the company’s advance technology.

“The reorganisation we did had nothing to do with PENGASSAN. We started facing incidences of sabotage. We have 22 incidences of sabotage.

“You are all aware. You have seen fires in the past, even in Kaduna refinery and some of the other refineries. There were attempted fire incidences.

“I have the dates, the unit where it was done, and when it was done. All are documented data. Because you went to the master control room, you know that all the data are completely captured.”

Edwin said the ultra-modern system of Dangote refinery prevented the sabotage from impacting its equipment.

“Somebody will open a valve to try to see if it will break down. Fortunately for us, by the grace of God, it’s a very ultra-modern refinery.

“When somebody starts a fire somewhere, the fire protection system is so well, it is immediately controlled. Same way, when they try to break down an instrument by opening a valve or adjusting some instruments, some other instrument overrules it and stops. It is documented.

“So we started looking at it, we were a bit concerned somebody can just bring a major shift down, and a lot of  investment has gone inside. That is why we did this massive reorganisation. It has nothing to do with PENGASSAN.”