The management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed recent reports suggesting that the multi-billion-dollar facility has been shut down due to operational challenges. In a statement issued on Friday, the refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, described the circulating rumours as “false, misleading, and mischievous,” urging the public to disregard them.
According to Chiejina, the refinery remains fully operational and continues to supply Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to the Nigerian market. He reaffirmed that the gantry price for PMS remains at ₦850 per litre, contrary to speculations that prices had been adjusted upward due to alleged disruptions in production. “We want to make it abundantly clear that the Dangote Refinery has not shut down operations at any point,” the statement read. “We are producing and supplying PMS as scheduled, and our gantry price remains unchanged at ₦850 per litre. Any claims to the contrary are baseless and intended to cause unnecessary panic in the market.”
The shutdown claims began circulating earlier this week after unverified social media posts alleged that mechanical faults had forced the refinery to halt production. The speculation quickly gained traction, fuelling concerns among Nigerians already grappling with the effects of fuel scarcity and high pump prices.
Some commentators suggested that the rumoured shutdown might lead to further hikes in fuel prices across the country, given that the refinery — commissioned earlier this year — is seen as a critical asset for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
However, industry analysts now say that such fears were unfounded, given the refinery’s prompt response in addressing the matter.
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, is Africa’s largest petroleum refining facility, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Since commencing operations, it has been a key supplier of PMS to Nigerian marketers, offering competitive gantry prices intended to stabilise the downstream sector.
The fixed gantry price of ₦850 per litre, according to Chiejina, is part of the company’s strategy to ensure transparency and protect the market from unnecessary volatility. We recognise the importance of stable fuel supply and pricing to the Nigerian economy. That is why we remain committed to efficiency, transparency, and uninterrupted service, Chiejina added.
Following the refinery’s clarification, several oil marketers expressed relief, saying the assurance would help restore market confidence. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) praised the company’s swift communication, noting that any disruption at the refinery could have had ripple effects across the country’s fuel distribution chain.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians took to social media to call for stricter measures against those who spread false information capable of destabilising the economy.
Sources within the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed that there had been no official report of operational downtime at the refinery. An official, who requested anonymity, stated that regulators are in constant communication with the facility to monitor production and supply levels.
SOURCE: joechubi