Dangote Group of Industries said on Wednesday 26th June that “a minor fire incident” at the wastewater treatment plant of its multibillion-dollar Refinery in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital was “swiftly contained.”
“There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating and there is no recorded injury or body harm to any of our staff,” Tony Chiejina, the Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer said in a short statement following reports trending on social media.
Nigeria, a major oil-producing country that relies on the imports of refined petroleum products pins its hope on the estimated US$20 billion-dollar, 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery project, which is expected to go into operation early next month (July 2024).
The country’s state-run four refineries are either dysfunctional or undergoing maintenance.
Wednesday’s fire incident raised concerns and panic, especially coming against recent reports quoting the Dangote Group of accusing International Oil Companies of sabotage, making it difficult for the refinery to access crude oil locally.
The general expectation is that the Economic hardships in Africa’s most populous nation, exacerbated by government’s increase in fuel pump price could be mitigated by fuel price reduction when the Dangote Refinery comes on stream.
