Senate President Godswill Akpabio has praised the completion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, saying that the success of the project has shamed the Nigerian government.
During a tour of the facility by the Senate delegation in Lagos on Saturday, Akpabio highlighted the refinery’s significance and the National Assembly’s commitment to protecting the project, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Commending the completion of the project, Akpabio said it is a shame that it took the Nigerian government 14 years to complete the residence of the vice president.
Akpabio recognised the refinery as a monumental achievement by Aliko Dangote and a source of national pride. He noted that the refinery’s success stands in contrast to the challenges faced by government-run refineries in Nigeria.
He stated that the “whole Nigeria couldn’t make refineries function in Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Warri, but that Dangote and his team have proven that it is possible to dream and achieve it in Nigeria.”
“The inability of the nation to refine its oil has brought untold hardship on Nigerians so much so that the Belgian government recently banned the exportation of dirty and condemned fuel to the West African country just because we can’t refine our own products,” he added.
The senate president expressed confidence in the refinery’s potential to alleviate the country’s reliance on imported refined products and to serve as a catalyst for economic growth. He also mentioned its role in job creation and its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Akpabio, who was joined by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and other senators, said that the National Assembly would come up with a robust legislation that would protect the project and others like it.
“Mr. Dangote, I pity you a lot because even your friends will envy you simply because they will keep wondering how can you succeed when nations, and continents have failed? Now that we have seen for ourselves, we are here to announce our own endorsement of this major project. It is also shocking to see that we produce sufficient fertilisers for Nigeria and enough to be exported.
“As I said we will do our report and we will speak to Mr President to put a stop to fertisliser import to Nigeria. You will hear from us soon,” he said.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, who joined the senators to tour the refinery, also acknowledged the project’s impact on the state and the nation, expressing optimism for Nigeria’s economic prospects.
“Dangote has put Lagos State and the whole of Nigeria on the world map of excellence. I am happy the senate came to see for themselves; Dangote was not ready to rest after successfully building the largest cement factory chain in Africa, second largest sugar refinery in the world.
“With investment like this, I can assure you that we are on the right path to meet the projected GDP of $1trn by 2030. You have the key to city, I have given you long time ago and I am happy you are using it very well,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Dangote, in his remarks, commended the delegation, saying that the “visit could not have come at a more auspicious time than now just as the organization is in the process of bringing the various units of this complex integrated refining processes on stream, an eagerly awaited move.”
He outlined the refinery’s capabilities, including the production of high-quality petroleum products and by-products such as polypropylene and sulphur. He also emphasised the refinery’s role in job creation and its contribution to the Nigerian economy.
“Dangote Refinery produces a wide range of high-quality petroleum products, including premium motor spirit (petrol), diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel, all meeting the highest international standards (Euro V Grade). The Refinery, apart from adding value to our crude oil, will yield 900,000 KTPA of Polypropylene and 36,000 KTPA of Sulphur and carbon black as by-products.
“The Refinery will help boost Nigeria’s economic growth, with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. During the construction stage, it supported over 150,000 jobs, made up of mostly Nigerians. These Nigerians in the process acquired various skills that are still useful in other construction projects,” he said.
According to Dangote, the refinery’s capacity will meet domestic demands for refined products, with about 50 percent of its production intended for export, generating foreign exchange. It will also stimulate growth in related sectors such as logistics, shipping, engineering, and services.
He added that the refinery will enhance energy security by providing a stable market for Nigeria’s crude oil and ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products. Nigerians will also benefit financially once the refinery is listed on the Nigerian Exchange.
The business mogul noted that the Dangote Group’s subsidiaries paid a total of N788.98 billion in taxes and N276 billion in VAT over three years, making them significant contributors to government revenue.
He envisioned the development of industrial zones in Nigeria similar to Jamnagar in India and Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia, where large-scale petrochemical complexes drive industrialisation.
Dangote called on the legislature to continue supporting domestic industry through protective and supportive laws, acknowledging their efforts in creating a conducive business environment.
“The Legislature has a great role to play in this. Globally, the Legislature plays a great role in protecting and supporting domestic industry. I am sure that the members of the 10th National Assembly are more than equal to the task. Supporting the Refinery secures the benefits. It will ensure energy security. As co-creators of value, we appreciate and acknowledge your consistent efforts in ensuring the enactment of vital laws promoting a conducive business environment in the nation,” he said.
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