Dangote Group, owned by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, has confirmed a fire outbreak at its $20 billion oil refinery complex in Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, initially sparked public concern after reports emerged from sources .
Dangote Group has moved to reassure the public, releasing a statement through Chief Corporate Communications Officer Anthony Chiejina. Chiejina emphasized that the fire “has been contained” and that the refinery is “operating normally.”
He further stressed “there are no recorded injuries or bodily harm to any of our staff on duty.”
The Dangote Refinery is a significant project, boasting a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd)”.
“This makes it the world’s largest single-train refinery, capable of processing a substantial volume of crude oil”.
“The refinery was officially inaugurated in May 2023, but only began operational refining in January 2024”.
While the statement confirms the fire’s containment, it offers no details regarding the cause of the blaze.
The Dangote Group will release further information once a thorough investigation is conducted.
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The fire incident, though contained swiftly, could have potential economic ramifications.
Any disruption to the refinery’s operations could impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel production and potentially affect global oil prices.
Moving forward, Dangote Group will prioritize transparency, providing details on the cause of the fire and the extent of any damage will be crucial in maintaining public confidence.
Additionally, ensuring the safety of workers and upholding rigorous safety protocols will be paramount in the refinery’s continued operation.