Nigeria's Dangote Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel, marking a significant step in its operations and the Nigerian petroleum industry in general.
In a statement issued by the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the group, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support and encouragement in the realization of this project. Dangote also thanked the various regulatory agencies and the people of Nigeria for their support and belief in this landmark project.
"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," Dangote was quoted as saying.
Highlighting the operational capacity of the refinery, Dangote Group revealed that the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks daily at its truck loading terminals. It also emphasized that the refinery's products meet Euro V specifications, which complies with international emission standards.
While the production of petrol has been delayed due to the staggered supply of crude oil, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Project, located in the Dangote Industries Free Zone, Lagos, has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It covers an area of about 2,635 hectares and is located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
With the receipt of six shipments of one million barrels of crude oil each, there is optimism among Nigerians that the refinery will contribute to a reduction in the price of petroleum products and potentially shape the country's energy landscape in the years to come, according to local media.