Nigerians will need to hold on a bit longer for locally made petrol. Dangote Refinery, touted as a game-changer for the Nigeria’s gas sector, has delayed the launch of petrol production from June to mid-July.
Aliko Dangote, the refinery’s CEO, announced the shift during a visit to the massive $20 billion facility in Lagos on Monday. While the exact reasons behind the delay remain undisclosed, Dangote assured the public it’s a minor setback and production will kick off soon.
Under the revised schedule, petrol production, technically known as premium motor spirit, is expected to begin between July 10th and 15th. However, Nigerians won’t see it at gas stations immediately. The refinery plans a brief holding period “to make sure it settles,” according to Dangote. This additional step ensures the quality and stability of the fuel before it hits the pumps.
The Dangote Refinery is a major project aimed at weaning Nigeria off its dependence on imported petrol. The initial announcement of a June launch had fueled excitement among Nigerians, hoping for a more reliable and potentially cheaper fuel source. While the wait continues for a short while, Nigerians can inch closer to a future powered by locally made petrol.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
