Emmanuel OchayiIn a turn of events, the much-anticipated release of aviation fuel (Jet A1) and diesel from the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery into the Nigerian market has hit a regulatory snag, delaying the commencement of sales.
Despite the refinery’s announcement of production commencement and promises of imminent product availability, regulatory approvals seem to be the bottleneck hindering the release.
Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group, expressed gratitude to key figures like President Bola Tinubu and various regulatory bodies for their support towards the project. However, despite the optimism, the refinery has yet to pump out diesel or aviation fuel, leaving downstream sector operators and consumers in suspense.
Officials from regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector revealed that the refinery is still undergoing assessment processes, particularly by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
These assessments are crucial for ensuring the quality and compliance of the products with regulatory standards before they are released into the market.
While the refinery had engaged with major oil marketers and associations for product distribution, commercial terms are still pending, further complicating the situation. Independent marketers, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), are eagerly awaiting feedback and commercial terms from the refinery’s management.
Despite repeated attempts to seek clarification from Dangote refinery officials, responses remain elusive, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation. The delay comes amidst high expectations for the refinery, touted as Africa’s largest oil giant with significant potential to meet Nigeria’s refined petroleum needs, create jobs, and boost exports.
The refinery’s plans, including importing crude oil from the United States, highlight its global reach and competitiveness.
However, until regulatory hurdles are cleared and commercial terms finalized, the much-anticipated release of fuel from the Dangote refinery remains on hold, leaving stakeholders and consumers eagerly awaiting further developments.
