The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has officially launched the Joint User Hydrant Installation 2 (JUHI-2), which boasts a remarkable storage capacity of 15 million liters of Jet A1 fuel. This facility is not only significant in size but also stands as the largest airside jet fuel depot in Nigeria, with a total capacity of 150 million liters of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK).
At the commissioning ceremony held in Ikeja, Lagos, Keyamo highlighted the facility’s capability to deliver 150 million liters of ATK supplies monthly to airlines, which represents 20% of the nation’s annual sales volume. The JUHI-2 project is a joint venture involving prominent companies such as Eterna Plc, Masters Energy Oil & Gas, Techno Oil & Gas, Rahamaniyya Oil & Gas, Ibafon Oil, Quest Oil Group, and First Deep Water Limited.
Keyamo commended the JUHI-2 project for its potential to enhance Nigeria’s aviation industry significantly. He noted that the facility would help mitigate flight delays and cancellations often caused by Jet A1 fuel shortages. “This facility is strategic and supportive to the aviation ecosystem in Nigeria,” he remarked, emphasizing that the country has often faced challenges with flight cancellations linked to fuel availability.
He further added, “It is also an international requirement. You have just made us globally relevant because it requires that this kind of facility should not be far away from all major airports in the world.” The minister also mentioned that the establishment of such facilities is crucial for hajj operations, as airports must meet specific criteria before being approved for such activities.
In addition to the launch of JUHI-2, Keyamo announced that Nigeria has been removed from the watchlist of non-compliant countries after achieving a 75.5% score in aircraft financing, an improvement from 70.5%. This achievement will enable Nigerian airlines to access aircraft on dry leases globally, marking a significant step forward for the country’s aviation sector.