…expert accuses Dangote of wanting FG to bend standing rules for him
…There’s deliberate plot to frustrate the refinery complex – Atiku
…as PH refinery finally commences operations
The last has not been heard about the tussle between the Dangote Refinery Complex in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, and the Federal Government as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and International Business Ideation Specialist, Light Shedrack, have expressed opposing views on the refinery’s inability to get the needed crude for its smooth operations.
Shedrack, in an interview with Arise TV on Monday, accused Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, of wanting the Federal Government to bend the standing rules for him, warning that such a move could herald the exit of International Oil Companies (IOCs) from Nigeria.
He added that initially when the feud started, he sided with Aliko Dangote but took opposing views now after carrying out his due diligence, with his findings revealing to him that there is more to the crisis than meets the eye.
“When the issue of accusations came up, I was on Dangote’s side, but after scrutinising the claims, I found some things. Dangote seems to be wanting the government to bend the rules for him, and his problem is with the international oil companies. If the government bends rules for Dangote, international oil companies will leave Nigeria,” he cautioned.
Shedrack exonerated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) saying the NNPC is not the source of the problems the refinery currently faces, as it has thus far received 39 cargoes from the Federal Government.
“I’m saying so because Dangote built a refinery, and midway into building the refinery, he was stuck and needed funds. The Nigerian government of that time intervened; they got him a facility of $1 billion to support what he was doing, and I don’t think any businessman or company has enjoyed such leverage from the Nigerian government,” he added.
This is as the Dangote Refinery has refuted the claims of receiving cargoes from the NNPC.
“We are in receipt of NUPRC’s statement that they have facilitated the allocation of 29 million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals. We would like to thank them for this allocation but at the same time let them know that we are yet to receive these cargoes,” Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief, Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Refinery, said through a statement on August 9, 2024.
On his part, Atiku alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to frustrate the refinery complex, noting that the plant is a significant private sector project positioned in the country to meet Nigeria’s energy and foreign exchange needs.
“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,” Atiku said in a post on his official X handle.
“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Giles-Harry, has given Nigerians glad tidings to the effect that the much-awaited Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced operations. He added that the Warri refinery is 90 per cent complete.
“Port-Harcourt (refinery) has been working very highly optimistically to make sure that the refinery gets started, and I can also confirm to you today that the Port-Harcourt refinery is already starting production processes. Those processes simply will go through some protocols, and I believe that in the coming days, I believe not weeks, the refinery will start turning out products,” Giles-Harry said
