The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has confirmed the commencement of local production of premium motor spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol.
On Monday, there were reports that the refinery has commenced production and made the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, its sole customer.
Speaking during a live show on Brekete Family on Monday, the Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery commenced PMS production on Sunday.
While confirming that the company still faced challenges from key players in the industry, Mr Edwin said Dangote refinery will export its product, if the NNPCL and other petroleum dealers in the country refuse to patronise it.
“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, Mr Edwin said: “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.
