Nigeria imports all aviation fuel needs for now

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 10:31 am

A plane being refuelled in Nigeria

Aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1 fuel is wholly imported by Nigeria.

Even with three refineries kicking up production, aviation fuel will not be produced in the mix of products to be churned out.

Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika is worried that planes could be grounded if the fuel is not available.

Sirika raised the issue at a meeting with Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu during a visit on Tuesday.

Senator Sirika noted that the need to ensure availability of JET A1 fuel has become imperative considering the fact that the product accounts for about 45 percent of the total cost of operation.

Both Sirika and Kachikwu have however pledged to work together to eliminate the noticeable challenge faced by airline operators in accessing aviation fuel for their daily operations.

Kachikwu said that though the supply and distribution of JET A1 is outside the control of government because it has since been deregulated, a meeting of importers of aviation fuel will soon be convened to address all challenges impeding the seamless supply of the product.

Dr. Kachikwu who also doubles as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC noted that though the refineries are not producing aviation fuel for now, efforts would be made in due course to provide the enablers which would ensure local production in the near future.

“The immediate action point for now is to meet with all the importers of aviation fuel, we want to understand the consumption pattern and also look at their cost to ensure that they are not profiteering excessively,’’ the Minister said.