The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says it is watching with sustained interest, the unfolding drama being orchestrated by some powerful vested interests to frustrate the good example which the nation’s leading investor and entrepreneur, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represents by defying all formidable odds to build a private-owned petroleum refinery in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the convener, Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi in Abuja yesterday, the NEF noted that Dangote refinery, which is reputed to be the biggest single-train refinery in the world, is a technological marble that showcases the most advanced innovation in the trade field and also the symbol of Nigeria’s national pride.
It said this remarkable business feat, which ordinarily should instantly earn him national encomium and accolades, had paradoxically ignited the malicious fury of enemies of the country who are strategically located in the oil and gas sector of the economy and had been wreaking havoc over the years through many subterfuges, resulting in the crippling of the 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.
The statement added; “The lamentable and highly troubling commentary against the Dangote refinery that came out from the NNPCL and its other sister regulatory body 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.
“For 30 years, the vested interest that runs 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.
“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.
“We wish to reiterate at this stage that Nigerians who mostly bear the brunt of escalating cost of fuel pump prices, frequent fuel shortages and the rampant poverty and joblessness which some of these unwholesome insider and shoddy business deals clearly perpetuate, will no longer fold their patriotic arms and allow a few well entrenched powerful individuals to continue taking the economy of the nation hostage, and thus; in treacherous connivance with some foreign interests, continue to condemn our dear nation, to a permanent state of shortages, social crises, economic and industrial underdevelopment.
“Regrettably, it is only in Nigeria that politics is being played with narrow interests as the motive force and the sole determinant that more often than not, is allowed to trample the economic interest of the nation.
“NEF, while welcoming and taking judicious note of the timely action taken by the honorable minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Mr. H. Lukoberi to arrest this worrisome situation, we wish in conclusion, to hereby restate our determination to stand resolute with Alh. Aliko Dangote in defense of this gigantic business stride which signifies the dawn of prosperity for our people.”