In a momentous event attended by distinguished personalities, including Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and five other African heads of state, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the founder and President of the Dangote Group, expressed his optimism about the newly commissioned 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery. The landmark project is expected to create employment opportunities for over 100,000 Nigerian youths and generate revenue exceeding $21 billion.
Alhaji Dangote emphasized that the refinery would significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, leading to substantial foreign exchange savings. He further revealed that the first products from the refinery would enter the market by the end of July this year. Currently, the refinery boasts a workforce of over 33,000 employees.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, President Buhari praised Alhaji Dangote’s leadership in spearheading the project. The President urged other entrepreneurs to follow Dangote’s example, emphasizing the importance of driving economic growth and realizing Nigeria’s economic potential. He also emphasized the need for African countries to unite, integrate their economies, eliminate trade barriers, and work towards the prosperity outlined in Agenda 2063.
Alhaji Dangote highlighted that the Dangote Refinery would eliminate Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, thereby preventing substandard products from inundating the local market. He further expressed the intention to maximize the refinery’s capacity utilization and efficiency, allowing for competitive exports to other markets, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regions with high petroleum product import dependency.
The project is set to produce a range of refined products, including Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), diesel (Automotive Gas Oil), aviation jet fuel, and Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), among others.
President Buhari’s sentiments were echoed by the attending heads of state, including those from Ghana, Togo, Niger, Senegal, and a representative from Chad. They lauded the Dangote Refinery as a game-changer for the West African region, emphasizing the potential benefits it would bring to their respective countries. They highlighted the significance of having an African-owned and operated refinery that would serve the continent’s needs.
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, emphasized the economic benefits the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical factories would bring to Nigeria. He applauded the Dangote Group’s creditworthiness and commercial capability, noting that the project’s successful implementation would lead to substantial foreign exchange savings for the country. Emefiele commended the local Nigerian banks for their support and urged Nigeria to become self-sufficient in petroleum products, fertilizers, and petrochemicals.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, highlighted that the refinery would foster efficiency and healthy competition in the sector. He emphasized NNPC’s commitment to supporting domestic production rather than relying on imports, affirming that the investment in the Dangote Refinery was strategic and aimed at ensuring a reliable supply of petroleum products in Nigeria.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commended Alhaji Dangote for choosing Lagos as the location for the refinery. He emphasized the vast opportunities the project would create for Nigerian youth and encouraged other investors to emulate Dangote’s example.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by prominent dignitaries, including heads of state, government officials, and captains of industry. The presence of these influential figures underscored the significance of the Dangote Refinery as a major milestone
Comments are closed.