- Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin revealed that the refinery is ready to start petrol production
- Mr Edwin detailed the refinery’s strategy to minimise energy costs, maximise gasoline production, and create a $21 billion annual market for Nigerian crude oil
- Engr. Babajide Soyode, the Technical Consultant for Dangote Refinery, expressed immense pride in being part of the project, highlighted Dangote’s dedication to meeting national needs
Mr Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil & Gas at Dangote Industries Limited announced that the Dangote Refinery is on the verge of starting petrol production, a development expected to add to the refinery’s existing products, support local supply to Nigerians and help conserve considerable foreign exchange for the country.
This was disclosed during the weekend tour of the refinery complex in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos by The League of Engineering Bodies in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), Association of Consulting Engineers in Nigeria (ACEN), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Addressing questions, Mr. Edwin, the Group Vice President of Oil and Gas, dispelled concerns about monopoly allegations, noting that someone must take the lead on a project for others to eventually join in.
Edwin responds to monopoly concerns
He said, “Nigeria was one of the largest importers of cement, then we started manufacturing cement and then we became exporters, same thing applies to sugar, salt and now fertiliser. This breakthrough opened the doors for other investors in those industries and Nigeria is better for it.
“What motivates Mr. Dangote is his sheer interest in the Nigerian project. It is true, we are in business to make money but the question is where is the money going to? Every money Dangote is making goes back to the Nigeria economy, from cement to salt, sugar, fertiliser.
“The business strategy of the Dangote Refinery is to minimise the energy cost and the overall cost of production; build the most environmentally friendly; maximise value addition; maximise gasoline which is in high demand with about 55 per cent of the production capacity compared to 22 per cent of the existing refineries in Nigeria; strategically located marine infrastructure for crude receipt and product evacuation; state-of-the-art technology; produce Euro V products; provide crude flexibility and create market of $21 billion per annum of Nigerian crude,” Mr Edwin added.
Speaking to journalists, Engr. Babajide Soyode, the Technical Consultant for Dangote Refinery, expressed that he felt “very proud” about the visit from his professional colleagues.
“I knew the project was a hard one, but Aliko Dangote is harder. He follows up on his passion. His corporate vision is to meet the need of the people. It is the greatest honour of my life to be part of this project.” Soyode stated.
Group commends Dangote’s commitment to developing Nigerian engineers
The group of engineers acknowledged Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, for his efforts in employing and nurturing highly skilled Nigerian engineers, who acted as guides during the visit, and asserted that engineering is alive and well in Nigeria, as seen in the workforce and the construction progress at the Dangote Refinery complex.
Margaret Oguntala, the Nigerian Society of Engineers' 34th President and its first female leader expressed her awe at the facility, describing it as “mind-blowing” during an interactive session.
“I was awed to see the state-of-the-art facility at the Dangote Refinery; what I see here today will blow the mind of any engineer; it is just like the movies. I was an intern at the Port Harcourt Refinery and I also visited the Kaduna Refinery, it is nothing compared to what I see here. The young engineer that took us around showed capacity and we are happy that you are building the future of engineers. We at the NSE are behind you, we shall take this home and let the world know that engineering is alive at the Dangote Refinery,” Oguntala stated.
Onwualu praises the refinery's impressive progress, encourages development
She noted that the refinery project, from its construction phase to the job opportunities it has created, gives her confidence and hope that young Nigerian engineers are poised to make their mark globally.
Representing the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Azikwe Peter Onwualu remarked that the visitors have witnessed something impressive that Nigerians should know.
In his statement, Prof. Onwualu said “We are happy some of our fellows are part of your system. We would like to remind the President of the Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, that if you are not doing something great you will not be criticised. Whatever you are doing, keep it up. If we have this kind of development across Nigeria, people won’t be talking about protests. Keep doing what you are doing and you will hear from us.”
NNPC shifts its focus to CNG, reduces interest in Dangote refinery
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has confirmed that it has scaled back its interest in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 20% to 7.2%, reallocating resources to invest in compressed natural gas (CNG).
Femi Soneye, the spokesperson for NNPC pointed out that CNG represents a budget-friendly choice for Nigerians, adding, “Switching to CNG will save Nigerians money.