Government Approval Delays Dangote Refinery Fuel Release

It has been revealed that the much-anticipated release of aviation fuel (Jet A1) and diesel from the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery has been delayed due to lingering regulatory approvals.

This comes as a surprise, considering the initial timeline set by the management of Africa’s largest refinery to begin the sale of its products in the Nigerian market by January 31, 2024.

According to a report by The PUNCH, the delay in obtaining the necessary approvals has led to a setback in the refinery’s plans to supply the Nigerian market with much-needed fuel.

The Dangote Refinery, which was inaugurated on May 22, 2023, has a 650,000 barrels per day capacity and is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The news of the delay has raised concerns among industry experts and stakeholders, who have called for a more streamlined process to facilitate the timely release of fuel from the refinery.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) are the regulatory bodies responsible for granting the necessary approvals.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will address this delay and facilitate the release of fuel from the Dangote Refinery.

In the meantime, the Nigerian market continues to rely on other sources for its fuel needs.