By Abiola Olawale
There is palpable panic in Lagos State as fire broke out at the $19 billion Dangote Refinery located near the Lekki area of the state.
While the cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be determined at press time, thick dark smoke was observed coming from a section of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday said the situation has been brought under control.
Chiejina who confirmed that a minor fire incident occurred at the effluent treatment plant of the refinery said the fire had been effectively contained and there was no cause for alarm.
The statement read: “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP) today, Wednesday, 26th of June.
“There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating normally, and there are no recorded injuries or bodily harm to any of our staff on duty.”
The New Diplomat reports that the refinery sited in Lagos commenced operations last December with 650,000 barrels a day.
Though the refinery has begun the supply diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country, it has yet to supply fuel.