By Emeka Okoroanyanwu
Dangote’s 650, 000 barrels per day refinery located in the Lekki area of Lagos State will finally begin the production of premium motor spirit (pms) by next month.
The Dangote refinery which is the World’s largest single-train facility of its type, has already commenced test runs for the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.
According to a Reuters news report, the refinery is expected to commence full operations and rollout of petrol in mid-September. This was after missing several deadlines and a long feud with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) over the supply of crude for its operations.
The $20 billion facility owned by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has been able to churn out diesel and other distilled fuels since it started operations a few months ago.
Dangote had earlier announced that petrol deliveries from the refinery would start in May but that did not happen following non supply of the needed crude oil. The dates were subsequently moved to July and August and now September.
It is feared that more extensions may be expected.
The Nigerian Xpress has, however, been told that the new date may be feasible following the settlement of the altercation between the NNPCL and Dangote over supply of crude.
This development comes after a Federal Government committee tasked to ensure the implementation of crude oil sales to local refineries in naira reached an agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the rollout of petrol in September this year.
The federal government had also said it would commence the sale of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in local currency from October 1, 2024.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, during a meeting with the Implementation Committee in Abuja.
“The first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements,” the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee said at the meeting.
Dangote Refinery is expected, when fully operational, to end the lingering fuel crisis that has dogged the country over the years.
It is also expected to earn needed foreign exchange for the country while engaging many Nigerian youths in productive ventures.
