NewsNigeriaPoliticsDangote Refinery Pushes Back Petrol Production to July

Nigerians will have to wait a little longer for locally-produced petrol from the Dangote Refinery. The commencement of petrol production, initially expected in June, has been rescheduled for mid-July, according to the refinery’s President and CEO, Aliko Dangote.

Dangote attributed the postponement to a “bit of delay” during a tour of the US$20 billion facility in Lagos on Monday.

While details regarding the specific reasons for the delay have not been disclosed, he assures the public that petrol production will begin soon.

As per the revised schedule, production of premium motor spirit, commonly known as petrol, is expected to commence between 10th and 15th July. However, the petrol would not be immediately available to the public.

The refinery plans to hold the product in storage for a brief period “to make sure that it settles,” Dangote explained. This additional time will likely ensure the quality and stability of the fuel before it reaches local markets.

“We had a bit of delay, but PMS will start coming out by 10 to 15 of July. But then we want to keep it in the tank to make sure that it settles. So by the third week of July, we’ll be able to come out to take it into the market,” Dangote said.

The Dangote Refinery is a highly anticipated project, expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel. The initial announcement of June production had generated excitement among Nigerians, hoping for a more stable and potentially cheaper fuel supply.

The refinery has been under construction since 2016 and was initially expected to start production in January 2023. However, the project has faced numerous delays, including issues with equipment delivery and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, Nigeria. Once operational, it is expected to produce 650,000 barrels of oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries in Africa.

This delay in the much-anticipated petrol production might extend Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol for a short while longer, but Nigerians can look forward to domestically produced fuel soon. Dangote has assured that the delay is temporary and that the project is still on track to meet its projected targets.