Emmanuel OchayiThe Dangote Group has announced plans to start transporting refined petroleum products by sea. This development aims to ease road congestion and facilitate smoother export operations to other African countries.
In a statement on Sunday, the Senior Adviser to the Group President on Special Projects and Strategic Relations, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, confirmed the new logistics approach.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe plan includes constructing a jetty in the Lekki Free Zone for handling bulk cargo, ensuring more efficient distribution during the refinery’s development.
Dangote Group’s New Strategy to Reduce Road Traffic
The Dangote Group aims to address one of Nigeria’s most significant logistical challenges: road congestion caused by fuel transportation.
“Today, we are exporting our products to many African countries through the seaport. We also plan to ease the pressure on the roads from the refinery by transporting finished petroleum products to other ports along the Nigerian coast by sea for further distribution to the hinterland,” Wali-Abdurrahman said.
This move is expected to ease the heavy load on Nigeria’s road networks, which have long struggled with the impact of truck traffic. By transporting refined petroleum products by sea, the Dangote Group can ensure safer and more efficient distribution.
Dangote Refinery Takes Centre Stage at Trade Fair
During a recent trade fair organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the Dangote Group’s participation drew significant attention. The company is a major sponsor of the event, showcasing its vast range of businesses, including the state-of-the-art Dangote Refinery.
“The refinery has already begun discharging petroleum products, and this has sparked widespread interest,” said Wali-Abdurrahman. Attendees at the fair showed eagerness to learn about the refinery and explore potential business opportunities within the company. Various other Dangote subsidiaries, such as Dangote Fertilizer, Dangote Sugar, NASCON (Dangote Salt), and Dangote Cement, were also on display, attracting a large crowd.
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One participant, Peter Ibrahim, expressed his interest in discovering job and business opportunities with the Dangote Group. “I am here at the Dangote booth to find out what business and job opportunities are available at the Dangote Refinery. We know the company must have created several opportunities,” he said.
Similarly, a cement dealer, Sale Sagir, remarked, “Let me be honest. I came to this trade fair because of the Group. I sell cement, but now I have come to find out what it takes to be a distributor of other products, especially the Dangote Petroleum products.”
Expansion into Compressed Natural Gas
Beyond petroleum, the Dangote Group is also looking into other energy sectors. Wali-Abdurrahman highlighted the company’s investment in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), noting, “To reduce our carbon footprint and costs, over the past decade, we have converted about a third of our fleet. This is an ongoing process, till we convert the entire fleet.”
This transition to CNG reflects Dangote’s commitment to sustainable practices and reducing its environmental impact, positioning the group as a forward-thinking industrial player in Nigeria.
Dangote Group’s Contribution to Nigeria’s Economy
The Group’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy are evident in its investments across multiple industries, ranging from cement to petroleum products. ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, praised the company’s impact, particularly in the area of industrialization. Represented by Vice President Legal, Aisha Abdullahi, he commended the group for its commitment to Nigeria’s development.
“The taxes paid by the group have contributed significantly to national revenue, funding infrastructure projects and social programs that benefit millions of Nigerians,” he said.
The Group’s forward-thinking initiatives, including the shift to sea transport for petroleum products and its participation in Nigeria’s industrial growth, continue to shape the country’s economic landscape.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
