- Dangote Refinery delays petrol release to mid-July.
- Nigerians express mixed feelings over the postponement.
- Aliko Dangote assures the market of quality products upon release.
Dangote Refinery postponed its premium motor spirit (PMS) release to mid-July. Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, disclosed this during a Sunday tour with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“We had a bit of delay, but PMS will start coming out by 10 to July 15. We want to keep it in the tank to make sure it settles. So by the third week of July, we’ll be able to come out to take it into the market,” Dangote said.
Nigerians reacted with mixed feelings. Facebook user Anthony Ihenyen supported Dangote’s efforts, acknowledging the challenges of such a large project. “You are trying, sir, and it will fly. We need more people like you to do more here in Nigeria, not abroad. Nobody is a saint.”
Emmanuel Ose expressed frustration with the delays, saying, “Anything that will make an average Nigerian happy always faces problems in Nigeria.” Adeola Orukotan criticised the premature announcement: “When you know your refinery isn’t ready, why rush to declare it open? Now it’s over one year with story upon story.”
On X (Twitter), user @ajagunsegun remarked, “Nigerians heard the Dangote refinery was ready when Buhari commissioned it in May 2023, but we’re still waiting. Dangote can run his business as he wishes, but what about the four Nigerian refineries? President Tinubu promised the Port Harcourt refinery would start by December last year. This is June 2024, and we’re still waiting.
Sincerely, there’s no way you’ll reside in Nigeria without developing the tendency to lie. There are too many lies and government propaganda everywhere.”
Michael Chibuzo urged patience, noting the complexity of refinery operations: “It is complex. You have to pass many tests and carry out many test runs. Commercial production always comes last. Let’s be patient.
Last month, at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Dangote promised that his refinery would start selling PMS in June and end Nigeria’s petrol importation. He emphasised the refinery’s ability to supply Africa and beyond.
Nigerians await the impact of the Dangote Refinery on the fuel market and scarcity.