The deplorable state of process in Nigeria’s ports reports reveal is behind the delays and deadline set for the launch of the Dangote refinery.
The Dangote refinery is a much awaited venture which many see as much needed to help reduce Nigeria’s growing demand for oil and petroleum products as bulk of the nations needs at the moment is still being imported.
Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote who first announced his plans for a new oil refinery in Nigeria in late 2013, is battling against conditions at Nigeria’s ports to avoid further delays says a reports by The Africa Report.
The refinery had initially been scheduled to commence operation in 2016 but was shifted to the end of 2019 after a change of location but this also appears to be a mirage as reports show that Nigerians can’t expect fuel output before 2022, a far cry from initial target.
Nigeria’s inefficient ports have hampered the progress of what will be Africa’s largest oil refinery, with executives citing problems with importing steel and other equipment as a reason for the delays.
According to the report, “The reasons for the delay in completing the refinery include the challenges with port capacity to berth heavy equipment,” says Femi Ademola, a consultant commissioned by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to co-write a report on Nigeria’s ports in 2018.
According to Ademola, he expects that the refinery will be operational in 2021/2022 after 2020 completion.
The LCCI also revealed that the current gridlock being experienced at the Apapa port is causing “untold hardship and cost on businesses”.
