Atiku Warns Against Attempts To Frustrate Dangote Refinery

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has warned against forces trying to frustrate the progress of Dangote Refinery.

Naija News reports that there have been a series of controversies over the operation of Dangote Refinery.

Recently, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) faulted claims by the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery that it has not properly enforced the domestic crude supply obligation (DCSO).

Dangote Refinery had earlier accused the NUPRC of failing to enforce the domestic crude supply obligation and ensuring that it receives its full crude requirement from Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and international oil companies (IOCs)

However, speaking via a statement in Abuja on Friday, the NUPRC said it facilitated the supply of 29 million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote refinery between January and June.

On the contrary, Dangote Refinery has said it has yet to receive the 29 million barrels of crude oil the NUPRC said was allocated to the refinery.

Dangote Refinery said it wants Nigerian refineries to be able to buy crude directly from the companies that produce as specified in the Petroleum Industry Act.

In a statement on Friday, Group Chief, Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Refinery Anthony Chiejina accused NUPRC of being unable to enforce domestic crude supply obligations to Nigeria refineries as specified in the PIA Act.

Reacting to these events, Atiku, in a post via his X handle on Saturday, said nurturing and development of the Dangote Refinery should be the main focus of anyone at the moment.

He urged Nigerians to join in the call for assurance that no internal or external force hinders the benefits promised by the Dangote refinery project.

Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, wrote: “Each parent eagerly awaiting the arrival of a child will dutifully undertake the necessary measures to ensure that the nurturing and development of this precious blessing remain a primary focus.

This fundamental principle applies equally to investments, whether they be local or international in nature. With this understanding, I am cautious in considering any deliberate attempts to impede the progress of the Dangote Refinery, a significant private sector project positioned to meet our energy and forex needs.”

“Alongside numerous fellow citizens of goodwill, I call upon all Nigerians to take resolute actions to provide reassurance that both internal and external forces are not collaborating to prevent us from reaping the benefits promised by this eagerly anticipated transformative endeavour,” Atiku stressed while quoted the latest press release from the Dangote Refinery.