We will protest attempt to frustrate Dangote Refinery – Coalition

Coalition of Lagos and Southwest Youths under the aegis of the Indigenous Peoples Right Initiative and Yoruba Progressives Movement has waded into the row between the federal government and the Dangote Refinery calling on the government to support Dangote refinery to work and succeed. Convener of the coalition, Barr. Yakubu Eleto at a press conference […]

Coalition of Lagos and Southwest Youths under the aegis of the Indigenous Peoples Right Initiative and Yoruba Progressives Movement has waded into the row between the federal government and the Dangote Refinery calling on the government to support Dangote refinery to work and succeed.

Convener of the coalition, Barr. Yakubu Eleto at a press conference in Lagos said Dangote refinery should be given priority in crude supply.

He was flanked at the press conference by other leaders of the coalition.

He stated that it doesn’t make sense for Dangote to be experiencing difficulties in sourcing for crude for the refinery, saying this sends a wrong signal to prospective foreign investors.

The coalition called for more collaboration between Dangote refinery and the agencies of the federal government to ensure the success of the refinery, warning that the group might be forced to stage a protest of the federal government fails to give the necessary support to the refinery to work.

The text of the press conference read in parts: “This press release has become necessary in view of the Federal Governments and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (NMDPRA) satanic move of declining supply of Crude Oil to Dangote Refinery despite the completion of the refinery and despite its readiness for production and the renewed sponsored attacks by some cabals in the oil and gas sector to deliberately frustrate the multi billion naira project.

“This issue demands our immediate attention and as stakeholders in the community it requires our collective action.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a monumental $20 billion project, that was envisioned to revolutionize Nigeria’s oil refining capabilities, by meeting domestic fuel needs, reducing fuel scarcity, conserving foreign exchange, reducing unemployment, reducing inflation, aiding economic growth by saving the country from over-importation with forex scarce, strategically reducing environmental hazards, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

“As stakeholders in the Lagos and south west community, we are out to resolving the disputes by calling for an amicable resolution between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the management of Dangote Refinery.

“We demand transparency in the refinery’s operations and government regulations.

“We demand Accountability from Government for their actions and claim against the DangoteRefinery.

“We call on Government not to frustrate the project and ensure it makes it work for the people of Nigeria, considering public’s interest, and ensuring the refinery’s operations benefit the community

“We call on the Government to open channels for continuous round table discussion with Dangote Management so as to facilitate mutually beneficial solutions.

“We want the Federal Government to note that, resolving amicably with Dangote will lead to economic growth as the Refinery operations will contribute to the development of the country.

“To address market and pricing challenges, we advocate for collaborative agreements between Dangote and independent marketers. Facilitating direct sales and distribution channels could stabilize prices and ensure wider market access for Dangote’s refined products. Such collaborations would also mitigate the impact of international market fluctuations on our local fuel market, providing more stability for consumers and businesses alike

“The Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) must prioritize domestic crude allocations to local refineries, including Dangote’s, to enhance our energy security and economic stability.

“We also urge the Federal Government to reassess the licensing and regulatory framework to prevent the importation of substandard fuels and support local refining initiatives.

“Finally Federal Governments integrity will be restored as a government who is not out to frustrate indigenous investors and be seen by the international community as a country that is interested in investors.”