Dangote Petroleum Refinery is undergoing test runs for petrol production, with full operation expected to commence by mid-September, Reuters is reporting.

Citing a note by IIR Energy, an oil industry monitor, the publication on Wednesday said the date could be extended further.

According to the report, IIR said in a note to clients that “it is possible that there could be further extensions”.

Anthony Chiejina, chief branding and communications officer of Dangote Group, is yet to respond to TheCable’s enquiry on the report’s claim.

On May 18, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, said from June, the refinery would begin producing petrol, adding that Nigeria would not have to import the product again.

In June, the business mogul said due to a minor delay, the refinery would commence petrol supply in July.

However, on July 15, Dangote refinery further postponed the commencement of petrol supply to August.

On August 14, reports claimed that the delivery date of the petrol supply had been postponed, however, Chiejina denied further delay to petrol output.

Chiejina told TheCable the reports about postponement are false and the refinery is on track to produce petrol as planned in August.

Also, on August 13, the refinery said it had not fixed its petrol price at N600 per litre ahead of when the product would be available.