MAN Urges FG to Support Dangote Refinery To Boost the Dwindling Manufacturing Sector In Nigeria

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has emphasized on the huge impact the Dangote refinery would have on the country’s manufacturing industry and supporting its energy security initiatives and solicited for the support of both Nigerians and the government for Dangote Refinery to enable it to perform optimally.

The President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, made the call after undertaking a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrol Chemical Complex and Fertilizer Plant, adding that as manufacturers, the Association understand the importance of reliable and affordable energy in driving its businesses forward and that Dangote Refinery will certainly have a positive impact on the manufacturing value chain, providing a reliable source of fuel and petrochemical products that are essential for capacity utilisation and value addition.

Meshioye explained that the support that will be give to Dangote Refinery will also serve as an incentive for other investors to invest in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry in the country.

He advocated that Nigerians and the government should do all they can to support the multi-billion-dollar company, noting that it is a source of pride and a gift not only to Nigeria but also to the African continent and the whole world.

According to him, the Dangote Refinery is a game-changer in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, adding that it is not only creating jobs and driving economic growth but also contributing to the nation’s energy security and self-sufficiency, among others.

The President of MAN acknowledged that the project is quite inspiring, while commending the inspiration of the promoter of the project, Aliko Dangote.

In his words: “To have been inspired to establish this facility is very magnificent, it is the first ever in Africa and the first ever of such refinery in the whole world. It has many first, first and first.”

The company, he said, has the capacity to produce all our needs locally, petroleum, and other similar products, adding that no one would come to the facility and would not be inspired or encouraged to ensure that all the support that the company requires should be given to it.

He urged the government to do all that is humanly possible to ensure that the facility works optimally, adding “It is prudent and expedient that the   necessary supports are given to the company for the economic benefits of Nigeria.”

He added that “If the facility can produce 650,000 barrels of crude per day and Nigeria is producing far above this volume per day, she should give the facility all crude it needed to produce.”

The President of MAN highlighted that apart from the fact that the facility can give Nigerians what they need locally, the excess product will be exported and the country will benefit because it will earn foreign exchange for the government.

Commenting on the facility after the tour, the President of MAN said “So, whichever way we look at it, the facility requires the government’s support to be able to operate optimally.  We have seen the laboratory which is in a class of its own. It is first among equals around the world. It is functioning very well. It is a complex on its own.

“With this kind of facility that starts from quality control to quality assurance, just to ensure that the harmful effects of the products are at zero level, what can be greater than this?  This is very unique and I will encourage all stakeholders to give maximum support, and not by the way support, but maximum support.

“I cannot see anything that is lacking in this company, we have been here since morning and went through all the units. The facility can deliver products between 1760 trucks to 1800 trucks per day.

“So, if you have such several trucks going out of the facility a day to various destinations in Nigeria, so many people will benefit from it. There will be more jobs, many families will be comfortable because of the jobs this will create, many artisans will benefit and it will have a spillover effect on so many sectors of the economy.

“If they can produce AGO, gasoline and Jet A fuel, this is good and the government should have no reason not to ensure the facility gets its backing to carry out its activities, because it is going to benefit massively.”

Meshioye pointed out that his organization is an advocacy group and to a large extent will support the Dangote Refinery by pushing its case with the government, and also solicited the support of other necessary government agencies that can ensure that it operates fully.

He affirmed that the Association always discusses with the government on issues that affect its members and it has always listened to it, and always finds solutions to those issues, noting that Dangote Refinery’s case will not be different.

The sheer scale and ambition of this project is truly impressive, he said, adding that the Association applaud the vision and determination of the Dangote Group in making this refinery a reality.

“As manufacturers, we understand the importance of reliable and affordable energy in driving our businesses forward. The Dangote Refinery will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the entire manufacturing value chain, providing a reliable source of fuel and petrochemical products that are essential for capacity utilisation and value addition.

“I believe that the success of the Dangote Refinery serves as an inspiration to all of us in the manufacturing sector. It demonstrates what is possible when we combine innovation, technology, and investment to create world-class facilities that benefit the entire nation,” Meshioye emphasized.