The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has issued a stern warning against ongoing attacks on the Dangote Refinery, emphasizing that such actions threaten to undermine a crucial asset that could rectify longstanding issues in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
In a statement released by NEF Convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, on Saturday, the Forum highlighted the refinery’s potential to address the deficiencies left by the previous mismanagement of the nation’s refineries by vested interests over the past three decades.
These interests, according to Abdullahi, have rendered the country’s refineries ineffective, forcing Nigeria to rely heavily on imported petroleum products.
Abdullahi expressed dismay that, rather than celebrating the Dangote refinery’s role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, certain factions are working to sabotage its operations.
The refinery, described as the world’s largest single-train facility and a marvel of technological advancement, stands as a testament to Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
“This refinery is a symbol of national pride and an example of successful private investment against significant odds,” Abdullahi stated. “It is disheartening that this achievement is being targeted by those who have historically hindered our nation’s progress,” the forum said.
NEF criticized recent negative comments from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and other regulatory bodies, which they view as attempts to discredit the refinery and destabilize Nigeria’s economic growth.
The statement underscores Nigeria’s global embarrassment as the only OPEC member without functional refining capabilities and the detrimental effects of importing refined oil. NEF also condemned the narrow political interests that prioritize personal gains over national prosperity.
The Forum expressed support for the recent intervention by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobri, and reaffirmed their commitment to backing Dangote’s refinery as a beacon of economic progress and stability for Nigeria.
