The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sought the approval of the Federal Government to hit the domestic market with diesel and aviation fuel.
The approval is expected from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, which is responsible for the regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, checks by Sunday Vanguard, weekend, indicated that refined products are currently stored in the refinery’s storage tanks while awaiting approval.
In a statement, the company stated: “We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals.
“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects. This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project.
“The refinery has so far received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore. The first crude delivery was done on December 12, 2023, and the 6th cargo was delivered on January 8, 2024.
“The Refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries. The products from the Refinery will conform to Euro V specifications. The refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms. Employing state-of-the-art technology.
“I must extend our sincere appreciation to our Bankers and financiers, both local and offshore, who demonstrated a great deal of patience, in seeing us through many difficult times. In the same vein, we thank the Government of Lagos State, under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been incredibly proactive in ensuring that the many challenges we encountered in the course of executing this project were quickly resolved. I thank him immensely.”
“I also sincerely thank our host communities and their Traditional leaders for their sustained patience, forbearance, and admirable willingness to work with us to find amicable and win-win resolutions to the many issues we have had to deal with as the construction of this huge facility progressed. Our staff have also contributed so immensely to the success of this project. I thank them profusely.”
Meanwhile, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice towards the actualisation of this project.
