The Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s much-anticipated plan to begin fuel distribution using 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks has suffered a setback, as only 450 units have so far been delivered out of the expected fleet.

The $20bn refinery, located in Lekki, Lagos, had scheduled the nationwide distribution scheme to begin on August 15. However, logistics challenges in China have delayed the delivery of the trucks, with another 150 expected next week to bring the total to 600.

A senior Dangote Group official, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the delay was due to limited shipping capacity from China. “There are not enough ships coming from China to handle 4,000 trucks and 4,000 tankers,” the source explained. The first shipment contained 200 trucks, the second 250, while 150 more are expected in the coming days.

With just 11 per cent of the required trucks available, the scheme’s launch may be adjusted. The company’s Chief of Branding and Communication, Anthony Chiejina, had earlier said Dangote expects 60 shiploads of trucks to arrive in the next six weeks.

The refinery is investing about N720bn to deploy the CNG trucks for direct distribution of petroleum products. The initiative, part of Nigeria’s “Decade of Gas” agenda, is projected to save the economy over N1.7tn annually in distribution costs, lower inflationary pressures, and create more than 15,000 direct jobs across the logistics chain.

Initially, the plan to sell directly to end users triggered resistance from tanker drivers and petroleum suppliers, who feared job losses. However, following meetings with stakeholders, the refinery agreed to channel products through bulk buyers under existing distribution structures.

The refinery said the programme would help reduce smuggling, revitalise dormant filling stations, and support a cleaner, more efficient energy supply system.