Fatshimetrie was privileged to witness the commissioning ceremony of Nigeria’s largest runway-side aviation fuel depot located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The state-of-the-art facility, known as Joint User Hydrant Installation 2 (JUHI2), occupies an impressive area of 46,000 square meters and has a storage capacity of 15,000 liters.
The JUHI-2 Board Chairperson, Mrs. Patience Dappa, during the ceremony, noted that this new strategic asset is designed to ensure regular and reliable supply of aviation fuel to Murtala Muhammed Airports, MMIA, MMA1, MMA2 as well as neighboring airbases.
She emphasized that JUHI-2 will generate numerous benefits for Nigeria by creating direct and indirect employment opportunities, thereby helping to reduce unemployment in the region. Mrs. Dappa also highlighted the operational excellence, safety and reliability of the facility, which is equipped with state-of-the-art filtration systems, an aviation fuel offloading facility that can load four tanks simultaneously, a modern laboratory and state-of-the-art fire prevention measures.
By investing in the construction of JUHI-2, the developers are not only strengthening the infrastructure but laying the foundation for the continued growth of aviation in Nigeria. The depot will serve airlines, cargo carriers, private jet operators and other aviation stakeholders, ensuring world-class fuel service, reducing downtime and maximizing operational efficiency. In other words, they are not just refueling aircraft, but fueling the future of aviation in Nigeria.
On his part, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, highlighted the strategic importance of the facility to the Nigerian aviation ecosystem. He noted that the availability of Jet A1 fuel is crucial to avoid flight cancellations and delays, which impacts on international reputation and compliance with global standards, especially for Hajj operations.
The Managing Director of Eterna Oil Plc, Mr. Abiola Lawal, meanwhile, highlighted the capabilities of the depot which can load four tankers simultaneously, with an average delivery or turnaround time of just 25 minutes for high-throughput and high-frequency aviation fuel handling.
To ensure the highest standards of fuel quality, JUHI-2 is equipped with an on-site laboratory as well as a modern filtration system. Each tank loading point has a dedicated filter, and the depot is equipped with a state-of-the-art fire prevention system, demonstrating the commitment to safety, a paramount value in the aviation industry.
In conclusion, the commissioning of the JUHI-2 aviation fuel depot at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport is a major milestone for the aviation sector in Nigeria. This strategic investment will strengthen infrastructure, foster economic growth and help position the country on the global aviation map.