The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that approximately 300 trucks have arrived at the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, preparing for the scheduled loading of petrol set to begin on Sunday, September 15, 2024. This significant development was shared by the company's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, who confirmed the arrival of the trucks on social media platform X.
“NNPC Ltd. trucks are arriving at the Dangote Refinery in preparation for the scheduled petrol loading,” Soneye stated. He emphasized that by the end of Saturday, at least 300 trucks would be stationed at the refinery's fuel loading gantry, ready for action.
In addition to the trucks already on-site, NNPC has mobilized an extensive fleet to facilitate the loading process. As of Saturday afternoon, the company reported that over 100 trucks had been deployed, with hundreds more en route to support the operation.
This loading marks a significant milestone, as it follows the announcement last week by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, regarding the commencement of fuel production at the refinery. The NNPC, acting as the sole off-taker of petrol from the facility, projects to lift the product at prices ranging from N960 to N980 per litre, with expectations that it will be sold to marketers at approximately N840 to N850 per litre. This could potentially lead to a reduction in pump prices for consumers, with petrol estimated to retail between N857 and N865.
Despite optimism over lower price points, the uniformity of these rates at filling stations nationwide remains uncertain. Presently, petrol prices at NNPC retail stations in Lagos are around N855 per litre, making it the most affordable option compared to major marketers who charge approximately N920. Independent sellers are even higher, with prices exceeding N1,000 per litre in some areas, while some regions of the country report prices above N1,200.
As the NNPC prepares for tomorrow's loading at the Dangote Refinery, all eyes will be on the impact this operation will have on petrol pricing and availability across Nigeria.
