The Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, has called for government intervention to support the Dangote Refinery, emphasizing its importance for Nigeria’s economic independence and job creation.
In a statement released yesterday, Oba Makama Oyelude stressed the significance of the refinery, which aims to produce and export petrol, potentially saving Nigeria substantial foreign exchange.
Expressing his unwavering pride in Nigeria, Oba Makama Oyelude recounted his consistent advocacy for the nation both at home and abroad.
He noted that the former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023, conferred on him the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) honor, as a testament to his dedication.
Addressing the recent issues faced by the Dangote Refinery, the Olowu expressed his initial excitement about the project, which was expected to commence production by the end of the third quarter of 2022 and reach full capacity in the first quarter of 2023.
He noted the refinery’s potential to employ hundreds of Nigerian youths and reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
However, Oba Makama Oyelude expressed concern over delays and reports of product quality issues raised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). “I was practically down when I read a report alleging that the head of the NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, made a complaint over the quality of products from the refinery,” he stated.
The statement claimed that the diesel produced by the refinery contained high sulfur content, which could harm vehicle engines.
In light of these challenges, Oba Makama Oyelude urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support the refinery’s objectives and facilitate its success.
He stressed the importance of Nigeria emerging as a leading private petroleum exporter in Africa and the positive impact this would have on the country’s economy and global standing. “This administration cannot afford to be seen as putting before prospective investors unfriendly policies to discourage them from looking to the direction of the country for enterprises that could create jobs for the yawning youths,” he emphasized.
The Olowu of Kuta also called on Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, to engage in further dialogue with the government through the NMDPRA to resolve the issues and ensure the refinery operates at full capacity.
He acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Dangote’s perceived monopoly of the Nigerian economy but urged cooperation in the national interest.
Oba Makama Oyelude highlighted the recent findings by members of the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, which reportedly disclaimed the high sulfur levels in Dangote diesel. He recommended an independent investigation to verify the quality of Dangote products compared to imported ones, ensuring transparency and public trust.
The Olowu, however, appealed to the federal government to protect the refinery as a critical national asset, despite its private ownership. He stressed the potential ripple effect on other sectors, such as the moribund steel industry, and the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s economic future.
“Mr. President, as father of the nation and an undisputed patriot that we all know, please save this refinery now, as many onlookers are already insinuating the current imbroglio to wrong political calculation on the part of Aliko,” he urged.
