We’ve commenced petrol production, says Dangote refinery

Dangote Group says its oil refinery has commenced petrol production for supply.

Anthony Chiejina, chief branding and communications officer of Dangote Group, told TheCable on Monday.

On August 22, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said it was undergoing test runs for petrol production, with full operation expected to commence by mid-September.

The commencement of production had been postponed on several occasions between May and August. 

On May 18, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, said from June, the refinery would begin producing petrol, adding that Nigeria would not have to import the product again.

In June, the business mogul said due to a minor delay, the refinery would commence petrol supply in July.

However, on July 15, Dangote refinery further postponed the commencement of petrol supply to August.

Chiejina’s statement follows the recent shortage of supply of the premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in Nigeria.

Since May, the country has suffered petrol scarcity, with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) blaming it on contractual issues between mother and daughter vessels.

On September 1, it was reported that the lingering petrol scarcity in many parts of the country worsened due to a $6 billion debt NNPC owed to suppliers.

On the same day, the NNPC admitted to owing suppliers – two weeks after denying the debt.