Dangote refinery begins supply of diesel, jet fuel to Nigerian market

650,000 mega Dangote oil refinery commenced the supply of petroleum products to the local market yesterday, a company executive and fuel marketing associations told news agencies. The company could save Nigeria the much-needed foreign exchange (FX) that would have been expended on importing the fuels, as well as earn the country some hard currency from the supply of products to foreign markets. Nigeria spends at least 50 per cent of its $30 billion import expenditure on fuels. This is expected to be reduced considerably, following the latest development. Reuters quoted Dangote’s Group Executive, Devakumar Edwin, as saying, “We have substantial quantities. Products are being evacuated both by sea and road. Ships are lining up one after another to load diesel and aviation jet fuel,” Edwin said. Ships load a minimum of 26 million litres, though we try to push for 37 million litres vessels, for ease of operations.”