Peter Obi the presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 election has called on the federal government of Nigeria to support Dangote Refineries instead of making it an enemy.
“In the interest of Nigeria and its citizens, as well as Africans at large, I urge the Federal Government and its agencies to provide Dangote Industries, especially the refinery, with all necessary support,” Obi said in a long appeal on X, Tuesday.
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Obi described the spat between the refinery and the some government agencies as troubling, noting that the issue transcends political affiliations and personal grievances.
“It is fundamentally about Nigeria’s economy, future,” he said.
“Given Alhaji Dangote’s significant contributions to Nigeria, it is crucial that these disputes are resolved swiftly. Government agencies should be directed to offer the necessary support for the seamless launch and operation of the Dangote Refinery and its associated enterprises. The refinery has the potential to generate approximately $21 billion in annual revenue and create over 100,000 jobs, with numerous additional positive impacts on the economy.”
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He commended Dangote’s resilience, saying his work is strategic to the growth of Nigeria and Africa.
He said: “Despite operating in a challenging business environment, he has established a remarkable industrial hub in Nigeria, encompassing over 15 sectors, including cement, sugar, salt, fertilizer, infrastructure, tomatoes, automotive, energy, petrochemicals, rice, poly sacks,real estate, mining, logistics, and maritime. Alhaji Dangote’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s industrialization, job creation, and economic growth, despite adversities, warrants full support and protection. With economic indicators like unemployment, inflation,forex scarcity, and debt worsening, every sensible and patriotic government should regard enterprises like Dangote Industries as national treasures, meriting robust support and protection.”
Peter Obi concluded that the success of Dangote is intrinsically linked to the success of Nigeria and Africa and its failure would be a significant setback for both Nigeria and the continent.
