By Aduragbemi Omiyale
President Bola Tinubu has been urged to ensure the full implementation of his directive on the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and modular refineries in the country.
Last month, the President asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to the private refineries in Naira, not Dollar.
On Monday, the federal government confirmed that this directive would become effective from October 1, 2024.
At a visit to the Dangote Refinery in Lagos, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the establishment of the facility as both nationalistic and patriotic endeavour.
It expressed disappointment that the major project is encountering strong resistance from fuel importers, who have stifled the economy and kept it reliant on imported refined petroleum products, despite Nigeria’s status as a leading crude oil producer.
“What I have seen today gladdens my heart, but at the same time, my heart is bleeding because of the neglect and opposition that such a laudable effort is facing. It is shameful, but as I mentioned to the President of the group, his continued steadfastness and resilience despite the opposition show that there is hope for this country.
“I would describe Aliko Dangote as both a freedom fighter and an economic warrior. There is no one more honourable or patriotic than Dangote. He has proven this through his actions, not just words. This isn’t about what someone might tell you; we have witnessed the enormous investments he has made in this country,” he said.
The NBA chief urged the federal government to create a supportive environment for the refinery, aiming to transform Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products and to alleviate the severe hardships caused by fuel scarcity. He lamented that it is shameful for the refinery to import crude from abroad and export refined products due to opposition from local players
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to pay deliberate and conscious attention to what Dangote is doing. Anyone serious about turning around the fortunes of this country cannot ignore Dangote’s efforts. This is a people-centered investment that must be supported.
“This is the type of investment we need, and wherever such investments exist in this country, we urge the government to create an enabling environment for the benefit of the people.
“If we establish a supportive environment for this refinery to operate, we will eliminate the queues on our streets and resolve the difficulties associated with the scarcity of petroleum products. However, we will need the government to demonstrate a willingness to support this crucial venture.
“We have a facility here that can compete with the best in the world, but unfortunately, it is not receiving the support and recognition it deserves. It is disgraceful that with a refinery of this capacity, where 86 tankers can be loaded at once, we still face fuel shortages,” he added.
The Vice President (Oil & Gas) at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, informed the delegates, that the refinery was established primarily to source and refine local crudes for the benefit of Nigeria, while also exporting excess production to boost the economy.