Nation
Our Refinery Was Built Without Government Incentives-Dangote
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday, said that the Dangote Refinery was constructed without any government incentives.
Dangote made this known during his keynote address at the Crude Oil Refinery Owners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) Summit in Lagos.
The Summit has the theme,”Making Nigeria a Net Exporter of Petroleum Products.”.
Dangote, who was represented by Mr Ahmed Mansur, Dangote Group, said that there was need for investor incentives to realise country’s vision of becoming a refining hub.
He stressed the importance of ensuring sufficient feedstock availability, while calling for an end to mortgaging crude oil.
“It is unfortunate that while countries like Norway are investing oil proceeds into a future fund, we in Africa are spending our future earnings,” Dangote said.
He also called for prioritising the implementation of domestic crude supply obligations and expanding crude oil production capacity to meet the demands of new refining facilities.
Dangote commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting the government’s active steps to accelerate International Oil Companies (IOC) divestments and other initiatives.
Despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Dangote said that Nigeria had long relied on imports to meet its refined petroleum product needs.
He said, “Nigeria is poised to transition from a “net importer” to a “net exporter” of refined products, positioning itself as a significant player in global downstream trade.
“This impending transformation is indicative of our progress as an industry and as a nation. We owe a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support throughout this journey.”
Dangote also addressed the opportunities in Africa, noting that the continent imports about three million barrels of petroleum products daily, with half of that coming from coastal countries.
He highlighted that these countries produce over 3.4 million barrels of crude oil daily, with imports primarily sourced from Europe, Russia and other regions.
“In 2023 alone, this trade was estimated at approximately 17 billion dollars.
“However, these markets will be better served from Nigeria, reducing logistics costs and allowing countries to purchase their petroleum product requirements just-in-time,” he explained.
He asserted that Nigeria and Africa could achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products, retaining all economic value locally.
“We have succeeded in cement production, and we can certainly replicate that success in petroleum refining.
Dangote highlighted that the Dangote Refinery already produces sufficient diesel and jet fuel to meet Nigeria’s needs and is ramping up production of PMS to meet domestic demand.
“The refinery has also begun exporting products to markets in Europe, Brazil, the UK, the USA, Singapore, and South Korea.
He acknowledged that global developments in the petroleum sector, particularly in Europe, are likely to disrupt traditional trade flows for refined products in Africa.
“Nigeria is uniquely positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and become a formidable player in the global oil industry.
“As a vibrant exporter of refined products, Nigeria stands to improve its trade balance and generate much-needed foreign currency.
“There is no doubt about Nigeria’s potential as a refining hub; let’s work together to make it a reality,” he added.
In his address, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State urged oil and gas stakeholders to leverage the sector’s immense potential to become a global supplier of refined petroleum products.
The governor was represented by Mr Biodun Ogunleye, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources.
He affirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the vision through initiatives that enhance infrastructure, logistics and regulatory frameworks necessary for investment in energy and refining sectors.
He noted that the Dangote Refinery, located in Lagos, exemplifies the potential that exists when vision meets conducive conditions for success.
“We are at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic journey, where increasing refining capacity is essential for reducing reliance on imports and positioning Nigeria as a significant player in the global energy market.
“This focus on refining will stimulate job creation, enhance foreign exchange earnings and contribute to economic diversification.
“Lagos State is the economic powerhouse of Nigeria, and I recognise the central role it plays in driving the nation’s industrial and energy sectors,” he said.
A non- governmental organisation under the aegis of South South Media Association has presented an award to the Divisional Police Officer, Omoku ,CSP John Ladan.
The event which held recently in Omoku in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, saw the attendance of top ranking officers and well wishers who gathered to celebrate an icon.
Presenting the award, the Chairman of the group, Kio Hopeson, said following the DPO’s selfless service to humanity, peace and development of the society, the group found him worthy to receive the award.
Hopeson hinted that the award had long been overdue, as his posting to Omoku had brought about peace, social harmony and drastic reduction of crime, saying, his open door policy and ensuring that every stakeholder is carried along in the fight against crime, was a contributing factor.
He said their investigation revealed that the people were extremely pleased with the reduction of crime under his watch in the area, stressing that his effort to interface with everyone has boosted the cooperation between the police and the residents.
On his part, the recipient, CSP John Ladan thanked the group for the honour done him.
The DPO expressed his gratitude to God and the Commissioner of Police for the support given him to serve.
He urged the people to see the police as friends as their job is protection of lives and property.
As part of efforts towards enrolment into the National Health Fellows programm of the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government in partnership with the World Health Organisation, (WHO) and other development partners has started the process of interviews for the selection of health professionals to be enrolled into the programme.
The National Health Fellows Programme is an interventionist initiative by the Federal and State Governments following the declaration of a state-of-emergency on the health sector by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the physical and financial burdens on health-seeking Nigerians.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Acting Director, Research and Planning, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Juliane Nwoke, who spoke on behalf of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh said the programme is expected to enrol 774 persons representing each of the local government areas in the country.
In Rivers State, she said 23 persons are expected to emerge from the 69 shortlisted candidates, adding that already, nine persons have been interviewed, adding that the successful candidates would be engaged by the Federal Government for a period of one year to support the provision of healthcare services especially public health at both local, state and national levels.
She explained that core areas of competencies of shortlisted candidates includes public health, proficiency in Information and Communication Technology and data management.
“We have interviewed already, about nine candidates and by the end of today, we’ll be interviewing about 29 candidates.
“The interviews will end officially today for Rivers State because we are expected to interview 69 candidates.
“Specific competencies were considered in the selection process with interest on competencies in public health, ICT and data management, so we received the shortlist of candidates which we expect are based on these competencies.
“As you may know, there is a global and local shortage of manpower, so the 23 who qualifies in this round will add to the skilled manpower that is needed to drive healthcare delivery.
“As per impact, this fellows would be engaged directly by the Federal Government for a period of one year to support healthcare delivery and population health management at the local government, state and perhaps national levels, working directly from their LGAs,” she stated.
Dr. Nwoke assured shortlisted candidates of fairness in the screening process, maintaining that only the best will emerge at the end of the exercise.
John Bibor
The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has described as unacceptable, callous, wicked and cruel the judgments and pronouncements of the Supreme Court last Friday, concerning Rivers State political crisis, saying they are nothing to write home about.
This is even as the union has said Nigeria is fast drifting to a Banana Republic, where the rule of law is not upheld but thrown overboard.
The union equally took to the cleaners the Justices, who gave the judgments and pronouncements, for allegedly mortgaging their consciences, and urged Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara not to obey the judgments until such a time that the case bordering on the defection of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, pending at the Court of Appeal is dispensed with.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who canvassed this position in an interview in Port Harcourt, particularly described the judgment ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation not to release the Federal Allocations of Rivers State as not only callous and wicked but cruel and self-serving.
He said civil servants in the State in particular reject the judgements and pronouncements of the apex court in their totality, and enjoined them to rise up against all plots and machinations to unseat the Governor, as a demonstration of their love, support and solidarity for him, contending that folding their arms and watching the plots to succeed, would amount to giving the enemies of the State a free rein to overrun the State.
He said the workers firmly believe that those fighting Governor Fubara, are not only fighting him but the people of the State, and enjoined them to rally round the Governor, who he noted has put smiles on their faces within the short period he has been in office.
Osumah noted that the Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements are an attempt by enemies of the State to pull the hands of the clock backwards, considering the monumental achievements of the Fubara administration so far.
He said it is unfortunate that the Justices who handed down the judgments and pronouncements, have through their actions and inaction, desecrated the sacred temple of justice, and by so doing making the judiciary a laughing stock in the eyes of the world, instead of elevating it in such a way that it becomes the much-acclaimed last hope of the masses and the common people in the country.
He decried a situation where the country’s judiciary has rather degenerated to a level where the highest bidders have held it hostage, at the expense of the ordinary people, saying it is a strong indication that the country is fast drifting to a Banana Republic, where the rule of law is bastardised and thrown overboard.
According to him, the judgements and pronouncements portend grave danger for the State and the people, as they are a recipe for chaos, confusion and unabated crises.
Osumah further lamented a situation where the case bordering on the defection of the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers is relegated to the background while other contending issues are given undue preference and preeminence, saying the defection case is rather the kernel and pivot on which every other matters concerning the political crisis in the State gravitate.
The labour leader, therefore, stressed the need for the execution of the Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements to wait, pending the final determination of the defection suit, describing as hasty and preposterous the issuance of a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara by the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, to present before them the 2025 Budget of the State.
Osumah equally reminded civil servants in the State that the time has come for them to boldly rise up and defend one of their own, and never allow the shenanigans of the old order to overwhelm and subject them once more to the throes and pangs of penury, poverty and needless suffering and hardship.
He recalled with glee that Governor Fubara has wiped away their tears, by not only providing a conducive environment for them to operate but also making sure that their welfare needs are given top priority, thereby restoring and providing all that the enemies of the State had denied them in the past.
While reiterating that the entire workforce in the State vehemently reject the judgments and pronouncements of the Supreme Court, Osumah said the apex court has through such judgements and pronouncements, declared war against the State and her people.