The Dangote Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, hasn’t started production despite an August target set by Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group.
In May, during a ceremony officiated by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, Dangote stated the refinery’s first product would be available by late July or early August. But as weeks pass the deadline, the market hasn’t seen any product from the refinery, The PUNCH reports.
Garba Deen, spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, said in June the company planned to reduce fuel imports in August, anticipating the Dangote Refinery’s production. This reduction was confirmed by both a high-level source in the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency.
While Dangote Refinery’s Communications Department didn’t comment, an insider told The PUNCH that refinery officials are uncertain about when refining will commence at their Ibeju-Lekki site, adding that no official date has been given.
Festus Osifo, president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, suggested the federal government should prioritize other refineries, like the Port Harcourt one, over the Dangote facility. “We need to support our own refineries and reduce import dependency,” Osifo said. “Though the government has a 20% stake in the Dangote Refinery, the emphasis should be on national assets.”
Mike Osatuyi, National Controller Operations of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, indicated there’s no disruption in the petrol supply since NNPC Limited is still importing. He speculates that Dangote Refinery might face internal challenges causing delays. Osatuyi also stressed the importance of other local refineries in addition to the Dangote facility.(Punch)
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