Largest Aviation Fuel Depot to be Unveiled Near Lagos Airport
Nigeria’s aviation industry is set to take a significant leap forward with the unveiling of the country’s largest airside jet fuel depot near Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The facility, known as the Joint User Hydrant Installation 2 (JUHI-2), will be inaugurated on October 17, 2024, in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.
In a statement released by Mrs Patience Dappa, the Group Managing Director of Masters Energy and Chairperson of the JUHI-2 Board, the depot will serve as a critical hub for jet fuel supply to major aviation facilities, including MurtalaMuhammed International Airport, MMA2, MMA1, and surrounding airbases. “The Nigerian aviation industry is poised for a significant transformation with the commissioning of the Joint User Hydrant Installation 2, the country’s largest airside jet fuel depot,” Dappa stated.
Spanning 46,000 square metres and with a storage capacity of 15 million litres of Jet A1 fuel, the state-of-the-art depot will support a wide array of aviation activities, from domestic and international flights to cargo, hajj, and business jets. The facility’s advanced infrastructure includes cutting-edge filtration systems, simultaneous loading for four bowsers, and a modern laboratory, all designed to streamline fuel operations.
Speaking on the importance of the development, Abiola Lawal, Managing Director and CEO of Eterna Plc, as well as Chairperson of the JUHI-2 Commissioning Committee, noted that the facility’s scale and modern design make it a key asset for Nigeria’s aviation sector. “This state-of-the-art depot will significantly enhance aviation operations, meeting the fuel demands of a wide range of flight activities,” Lawal said.
JUHI-2 is a joint venture involving Eterna Plc, Masters Energy, Techno Oil, Quest Oil, Rahamaniyya, Ibafon Oil, and First Deep Water Limited. With its advanced fire prevention measures and a jet fuel discharge system featuring dedicated trucks, the depot is expected to be a benchmark for future aviation fuel projects in the country.
The unveiling will draw attendance from key stakeholders in both the aviation and energy sectors, underscoring its importance in bolstering Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and ensuring a steady supply of fuel to support the industry’s growing needs.
