Citing economic benefits to accrue from the multi-billion dollar 650,000 bpd capacity Dangote Refinery currently under construction organised labour at the weekend, threw its weight behind the project, describing it as a singular investment that will define the economy of Nigeria.
Leaders of unions such as Textile, Chemical, Electricity, Automobile, Engineering as well as Petroleum and Gas, who are affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and international labour platform called Industrial Global Union, said the size of the refinery spoke volume of the entrepreneurial spirit of Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group.
Calling on the Federal Government to give all the supports needed to aid timely completion of the project, the labour leaders recalled that more than 40 “handbag businessmen” were initially issued licenses to operate refineries during the Obasanjo regime with none able to “clear the land let alone starting construction.”
President of National Union of Chemical Rubber Leather and Non-Metalic Products Employees (NUCFRILAMPE), who is the auditor of the NLC and chairman of the Nigerian Council of Industrial Global Union, Babatunde Goke Olatunji said the investment patriotism of Aliko Dangote was unparalleled, adding that labour has recommended Dangote to the United Nations for Africa Industrial Development ambassador.
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He explained that the labour leaders were motivated to give their views to newsmen on their findings on the Dangote Refinery after a working tour of the project in Lagos because of the massive potential job opportunities and the economic benefits upon completion, which is what “labour is after.”
Their visit to the refinery, according to him, was in tandem with the industrial development sustainability goal of the global union. The union also said that the visit was part of the goals of defending workers’ rights, building union power, fighting precarious work and engaging capital.
“To our amazement, we couldn’t move around the whole of the refinery and the fertiliser sites because of the huge size which is 8 times bigger than the present Victoria Island. Upon completion, the refinery alone is capable of employing directly 300,000 workers while the fertiliser will attract about 5000 direct jobs. This is highly welcome in view of the present jobs depleting economy of Nigeria.
“With the present policies and efforts towards the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, the fertiliser plant shall encourage and enhance agricultural sector in no small measure as there shall be massive food production while cash crops shall equally constitute raw materials for our manufacturing sector and for exportation.
Nigeria urgently needs to industrialise by evolving good economic and industrial policies that will encourage the investment culture of individuals”, Olatunji stated.
Meanwhile, as the curtains draw on the Dangote Cement Bag of Goodies 2020 Season 2 promo, beneficiaries are still enjoying the euphoria of the impact of the promo on their lives and businesses.
The mega promo, which produced over 450 lucky winners across the country, has impacted positively on the businesses of loyal customers and assisted in mitigating the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on consumers.
A block moulder and cement dealer, who was one of the lucky winners of the just concluded Dangote Cement Promo, Obinna Udebi, said the N1million star prize won during the promo has been used to expand his cement and block-moulding business.
According to Udebi, his business was only struggling to survive due to the impact of the global Covid-19, but it was rescued by Dangote Cement through the just concluded Mega Promo.
He disclosed that, prior to the promo, he was only able to buy 300 bags of cement, “but with N1 million, I have been able to increase the numbers of my cement stock from 300 to 600 bags.”
He said Dangote Cement has helped improve his revenue, as he is now able to deliver cement and blocks to customers within a few days as a result of the available funds.
Udebi, who claimed to be a major seller of Dangote Cement products since 2009, commended the company for maintaining high-quality products that have stood the test of time since inception.
For Aminu Bala, another cement dealer who also won in the promo, the N1 million star prize has transformed him from an ordinary retailer of cement to wholesaler and major dealer of Dangote Cement. Bala stated that the N1 million he won during the promo period has transformed his company from a retailer of cement to a wholesaler. “Since I won the prize money, I have stepped up to buy one to two trailer loads of cement, which automatically transform me from retailer to wholesaler of Dangote Cement.
