Dangote Refinery Delays Petrol Supply Again Amid Crude Supply Crisis

The much-anticipated commencement of domestic petrol supply by Dangote Refinery has been postponed once again.

Initially scheduled for mid-August 2024, the refinery had already shifted its start date from July to August.

This latest delay is attributed to a crude supply crisis. A source close to the situation revealed that, "The commencement of fuel will come this August; however, the crude supply crisis facing the company has made things difficult."

The 650,000 barrels per day refinery is embroiled in a dispute with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) over the supply of 26 million barrels of crude cargoes.

While NUPRC claims it facilitated the delivery of these cargoes between January and June 2024, Dangote Group denies receiving them.

This conflict has exacerbated the refinery's operational challenges.

In response to the ongoing issues, the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has urged regulatory agencies to exercise more discretion.

Muda Yusuf, Director of CPPE, stated, "Regulatory irritations and distractions are inflicting harm on Nigerian manufacturers.

We appeal to regulatory agencies to be more judicious in their responsibilities."

Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive that crude oil should be sold to local refineries in Naira, the Dangote Group accuses both NUPRC and International Oil Companies in Nigeria of obstructing its fuel production efforts.