On Tuesday, the Federal Government announced its plan to issue a fully valid operating licence to the 650,000 barrels per day capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The announcement was made at the Stakeholders’ Consultation Forum on Midstream and Petroleum Host Community Development Trust Regulations organized by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in Abuja.
In May 2023, Dangote refinery was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The facility began releasing Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, to the domestic market in April this year, but has not yet released petrol.
The Chief Executive, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, speaking at the forum in Abuja on Tuesday, assured industry players and other stakeholders that the authority would soon issue a fully valid operating licence to the refinery.
He highlighted that three valid licenses have been issued to three refineries, with Dangote refinery being awarded one even before their pre-commissioning, and they will soon have full commission and a valid license to operate.
He also stated that there are approximately 15 gas facilities across the country that have valid licenses, with more facilities currently undergoing processing.
According to the NMDPRA boss, there are 1,199 facilities with valid licences in the downstream sector, and more than 176 operators have gas import permits.
Ahmed provided information that 130 depots have valid licences and 69 hold valid coastal vessel licences. He also stated that NMDPRA has licensed 9,464 retail outlets as of 10 am on April 30, 2024.
He clarified the rationale behind including locations in the midstream and downstream arms of the oil sector as part of host communities, highlighting the impact of emissions and effluence on them.
