Following the successful commencement of production at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian people for their unwavering support and belief in the mega project. Dangote thanked President Tinubu for his vision and support, which played a crucial role in encouraging him to embark on the refinery project years ago.
Speaking with stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, Dangote highlighted the significance of domestic refining of petroleum products in Nigeria. He acknowledged the support and thoughtful advice he received from President Tinubu throughout the journey of actualizing the refinery project. President Tinubu had earlier mentioned that the start of production at Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries would alleviate the hardship faced by citizens after the removal of fuel subsidies.
Dangote also expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for their support and belief in the historic project. He mentioned that the refinery has already received six million barrels of crude oil at its two Single Point Moorings (SPMs) located 25 kilometers from the shore. The refinery is capable of loading 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries and the refined products will adhere to Euro V specifications.
In addition to thanking President Tinubu and the regulatory bodies, Dangote expressed his gratitude to the bankers and financiers, both local and offshore, who demonstrated patience during challenging times. He also praised the government of Lagos State, led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their proactive efforts in resolving the various issues encountered during the project’s execution. Dangote extended his appreciation to the host communities and their traditional leaders for their patience and collaboration throughout the construction process.
This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone, Dangote said. He emphasized that the successful production of refined petroleum products is a game changer for the country and a testament to Nigeria’s ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.
As the Dangote Petroleum Refinery gears up to bring its products to the market, Dangote expressed his confidence that the diesel and aviation fuel will be available within the month, pending regulatory approvals. He concluded by acknowledging the substantial contributions of the refinery staff and conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to them.
The production of refined petroleum products by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery marks a major achievement for Nigeria, signaling a move towards self-sufficiency in oil refining and reducing the reliance on imports. With Aliko Dangote’s gratitude extended to President Tinubu, the federal government, regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and all Nigerians, it is evident that this historic project has been a collective effort driven by belief and support. The successful start of production sets the stage for a promising future in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
