Dangote Refinery To Begin Operation Next Year

The Executive Director of Capital Projects and Portfolio Management at Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin has said that Nigerians should expect the products from the Dangote Refinery in the markets by 2022.

Speaking on Arise TV show, Edwin explained that the completion of the 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery and petrochemical project that was expected in 2020, was delayed by the disruptions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “As you rightly said, it’s a 650,000 barrels per day refinery and it is much larger than the existing capacity within Nigeria. And this is the largest single-train refinery in the world.

“We had hoped to complete at the end of last year and start the commissioning early this year, but as you know, the impact of the COVID-19 had a major impact on us.

“We are receiving goods manufactured in the US, Europe, China and India and almost all the four countries were affected by COVID.

“So, our equipment deals got delayed and because of the movement restrictions, the shipping got delayed and the construction engineers also got restricted.”

According to him, the group has gone ahead with the construction schedule and that by end of 2021, it would have achieved mechanical completion and proceed with the inauguration in December.

“So, now, we have gone far ahead with the construction schedule and by the end of this year, we will have mechanical completion and we start the commissioning by December this year. So, we expect the products to start coming out early next year.”

Edwin said the fertilizer plant facility is ready, adding that the finished products from the plant will be in the market this month.