The $19 billion Dangote Refinery yesterday evening took delivery of one million barrels of crude oil, thereby increasing the total deliveries to about three million barrels while boosting hopes of ending importation of petroleum products and associated foreign exchange burden on the currently being discharged into the company’s facility, came from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO).
He explained that Dangote Refinery has concluded plans to start the refining of diesel and aviation fuel by Mid- January 2024, adding that the refining of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS will follow later.
He claims that the refinery can provide all of Nigeria’s domestic needs for aviation fuel, diesel, kerosene, and petrol in addition to exporting to other countries.
According to him, there will be numerous knock-on consequences from the refinery’s opening, including the creation of jobs, suppliers, capacity building, empowerment, and knowledge transfer for Nigerians.
The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had earlier confirmed that the refinery will fully come on stream, processing 650, 000 barrels per day by the end of 2024.
Read Also: Dangote Refinery Will Supply Enough PMS For Nigerians – Ihetu
He had said: ‘We do not want to start our refinery with foreign goods; we want to start with Nigerian crude. We’re more than ready and you will see our gasoline products soon.’
Meanwhile, Dr. Godswill Ihetu, former Group Executive Director of NNPC Limited and ex-Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited, assured that with the activation of the Dangote Refinery Units, there will be ample PMS supply for both Nigeria and the export market.
This statement was shared by Ihetu in an interview on Arise Television on Monday.
He said, ‘I think it’s a major milestone. This is something we’ve been expecting for quite some time.’
He underscored that the Dangote Refinery carries the potential to significantly impact Nigeria’s economy.