The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that its Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, will be exported if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other petroleum marketers in the country refuse to patronise it.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, stated this on Monday while featuring on Brekete Family live show.
Edwin, who confirmed that the refinery has started the production of petrol, said local oil traders have resorted to importing diesel and aviation fuel, blocking local sales of Dangote fuel.
“We have been exporting aviation fuel, we have been producing kerosene, we have been producing diesel, but yesterday, we started the production of PMS. So, that was the last stage. The only thing now left out is petrochemicals.
“So, the good news for the country is we have started producing PMS from our refinery since yesterday (Sunday),” he confirmed.
Asked if the petrol would be sold locally, Edwin replied, “Well, I explained how there has been a kind of a blockade from lifting our products within the country. The traders have been trying to block (it), and so now we have been exporting our petroleum products. PMS, we are ready to pump in as much as possible to the country.
“But if the traders or NNPC are not buying the product, obviously, we will end up exporting the PMS as we are doing with the aviation jet and diesel,” he declared.
Edwin expressed surprise that the company started facing different challenges it never expected when the refinery was set to commence operations.He recalled that the philosophy initially was to add value to the raw materials available in the country, regretting that Nigeria is still exporting crude and importing refined petroleum products after over three decades.