Dangote Refinery Can Meet Nigeria’s Full Fuel Needs
By Patience Ikpeme
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has made it clear that it has more than enough fuel to meet the needs of every Nigerian. In a move that promises to end the days of fuel scarcity, the refinery stated that it can produce much more petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel than the entire country currently uses every day.
According to the refinery, it has the power to supply 75 million litres of petrol (PMS) daily. This is much higher than the 50 million litres that Nigerians usually consume each day. For diesel (AGO), the refinery can provide 25 million litres daily, even though the country only needs about 14 million litres. It also plans to supply 20 million litres of aviation fuel for airplanes, which is five times more than the 4 million litres needed locally.
In a public notice to fuel marketers and other business partners, the company stated: “The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery would like to reiterate our capability to supply the underlisted petroleum products of the highest international quality standard to marketers and stakeholders.”
By producing more than what is needed, the refinery says it is creating a “buffer.” This means there will always be extra fuel kept in reserve so that if there is a sudden high demand or a problem with moving products around, Nigerians will not feel the pinch. This extra supply is expected to keep the market stable and stop the country from relying on fuel brought in from abroad.
Experts in the oil industry say that having this much local supply will help Nigeria save money and stop the need for emergency imports. It will also make the supply chain stronger so that fuel is always available at filling stations across the country.
The refinery also made it clear that it is working hand-in-hand with the government’s regulators, specifically the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The company says it wants to make sure everything is done according to the law to keep the market orderly.
On its commitment to the country, the refinery said: “The refinery remains fully engaged with regulators and industry stakeholders in support of Nigeria’s national energy security objectives, as the country deepens its transition from fuel import dependence to domestic refining.”
The company added that it is working closely with everyone in the business to make sure that “the benefits of local refining, including reliable supply, competitive pricing and improved market discipline are delivered consistently to consumers nationwide.”
With this increase in local production, many believe that Nigeria is finally in a position to stop spending scarce foreign exchange on imported fuel. This shift is expected to make the fuel business more efficient and secure for all Nigerians.
