Northern Elders Warn Vested Interest To Desist From Attacking Dangote Refinery

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has warned those attacking the Dangote refinery to desist from such actions, as they are capable of demarketing the refinery, which should ordinarily be a source to end the irregularities in the oil and gas sector.

In a statement signed by the Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, the Elders said that for 30 years, the vested interests that run the NNPC cartel ensured that the nation’s four refineries were rendered comatose and incapable of refining the badly needed petroleum to meet our domestic consumption.

He said that instead of Nigerians appreciating the refinery for its efforts in saving the country from continued importation of refined petroleum products, some vested interests are bent on frustrating its operations.

“The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is watching with sustained interest the unfolding drama being orchestrated by some powerful vested interests to frustrate the good example set by the nation’s leading investor and foremost African entrepreneur, Alh. Aliko Dangote, who has defied all formidable odds to build a privately-owned world-class, ultramodern petroleum refinery in Nigeria.

“Dangote refinery, which is reputed to be the biggest single-train refinery in the world, is a technological marvel that showcases the most advanced innovation in the trade field and is also a symbol of our national pride.

“This remarkable business feat, which ordinarily should instantly earn him national encomiums and accolades, has paradoxically ignited the malicious fury of enemies of our dear country, who are strategically located in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

They have been wreaking havoc over the years through many subterfuges, resulting in the crippling of our nation’s refining capacity and the ruthless imposition of a ruinous regime of massive refined oil and other sundry products importation to the detriment of our national growth and economic global competitiveness.

“In this wise, the lamentable and highly troubling commentary against the Dangote refinery that came out from the NNPCL and its other sister regulatory bodies smacks of a glaring attempt to de-market this epochal national achievement and premeditatedly derail the economy from the path of healthy growth and stability.

“Nigeria became the object of global ridicule, as we are the only OPEC member nation without refining capability and heavily dependent on mass importation of oil and other derivatives,” the statement said.

NEF said Nigerians, who mostly bear the brunt of escalating fuel pump prices, frequent fuel shortages, and the rampant poverty and joblessness perpetuated by these unwholesome insider and shoddy business deals, will no longer fold their arms and allow a few well-entrenched powerful individuals to continue taking the economy of the nation hostage.

“Regrettably, it is only in Nigeria that politics is played with narrow interests as the motive force and the sole determinant, more often than not, allowed to trample the economic interest of the nation.

“NEF, while welcoming and taking judicious note of the timely action taken by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobri, to arrest this worrisome situation, wishes to conclude by restating our determination to stand resolutely with Alh. Aliko Dangote in defense of this gigantic business stride, which signifies the dawn of prosperity for our people,” the statement added.