Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, has said older and inefficient refineries should be shut down, arguing that modern, energy-efficient plants are the future of global refining. Speaking at the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics conference in Lagos, Bird said outdated refineries that cannot meet modern efficiency and cleaner fuel standards should give way to advanced facilities using better technology. He argued this would improve the overall efficiency of the refining sector and benefit the environment.
According to him, the industry is moving toward Euro 5 and Euro 6 cleaner fuel standards, and operators relying on aging infrastructure may struggle to remain competitive unless they upgrade. He said continued investment in modern systems is no longer optional but necessary.
Bird added that the expansion of large-scale, highly automated refineries could naturally force smaller, less efficient plants out of operation, describing that shift as positive for long-term sustainability.
His remarks are likely to fuel debate in Nigeria, especially amid concerns over the performance of state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, which have faced repeated questions over efficiency despite costly rehabilitation efforts.
The comments also come as Dangote Refinery says it is operating at full capacity and planning an expansion, reinforcing its ambition to position itself as a benchmark for modern refining in Africa and beyond.
Post a Comment