A group of Civil Society Organisations, operating under the aegis of the Nigerian Democracy Working Group, has cautioned that the purported conspiracy to sabotage the Dangote Refinery project could adversely affect the country’s economy.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Dr Vincent Okpara Innocent and Dr Idris Aliyu Mohammed, Convener and Co-Convener respectively, the group said that sabotaging the Dangote Refinery was a clear attempt to lay waste to the efforts of the present administration to attract foreign investments into the country.
It noted that the alleged sabotage, if not addressed, could serve as a red card to potential investors, and also prove counterproductive to the long-term advocacy for investment by the Bola Tinubu-led administration.
It noted further that the refinery project is an investment that would boost economic activities in the petroleum sector and cause a drastic upsurge in the Gross Domestic Product GDP of the nation, and that it would also guarantee an increase in revenue for all strata of socio-economy in deep connection to the larger public.
The statement reads: “We have observed with dismay, the purported conspiracy to sabotage the huge investment of the Dangote Refinery project, by some individuals who do not wish well for Nigeria and the Nigerian citizens.
“This development is not only dangerous to the Nigerian economy, but could also be a red card to the potential investors, and counterproductive to the long-term advocacy for investment by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“This is surely a clear attempt to lay waste to the efforts of the present administration to attract foreign investments into the country.
“The establishment of a cutting edge refinery-a technological marvel of the highest global standards by Alh Aliko Dangote in Nigeria is a visionary move beyond the call of duty, it is also patriotic, pointing to a deep-seated concern for the general public by setting the ball rolling towards a revolutionized petroleum sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“The Dangote refinery project is an investment that would boost economic activities in the petroleum sector and cause a drastic upsurge in the Gross Domestic Product GDP of the nation, it will also guarantee an increase in revenue for all strata of socio-economy in deep connection to the larger public.
“As far as we are concerned, the Dangote refinery project is not only a historic turning point to resuscitate the petroleum sector in the country but it has also established a precedence towards uprooting the endemic corruption in the sector, a development which is no doubt welcomed by all patriotic Nigerians regardless of our regional, religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“We would like to caution His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian authorities that are involved, to tread carefully on the matter of Dangote Refinery and of course on other matters that are genuinely aimed towards alleviating the collective sufferings of the Nigerian population.
“Let it also be acknowledged that, this project is not for the Northern states or the Southerners, it is a project for all Nigerians, we must therefore jealousy and collectively come together to support it and to seek protection for it against any evil plan to sabotage it.
“We wish to remind all Nigerians that, Alh. Aliko Dangote, built the largest single train refinery in the entire world, not in his home town of Kano, or any State of the North, the region where he belongs to, but rather in Lagos State, because he sees it as a national project for all Nigerians to benefit.
“Aside from this historic and revolutionary investment in the Petroleum sector, he has also established the second-largest sugar refinery in the world equally in Lagos State. Similarly, he established the largest cement factory in the world, not in Kano but in Kogi State.
“Alh. Aliko Dangote, with his mind-blowing mindset and unrivalled insight, has opened up new chapters in the BUSINESS and investment sectors; and established one of the second-largest fertilizer plants in the world, set to overtake the biggest existing plant in Qatar, also not in Kano, but in Lagos State and which has already begun to export globally.
“It is our humble opinion that Aliko Dangote plays important roles in nation building. It is also on the record that this committed citizen, Alh. Aliko Dangote is the largest private sector employer of labor and his companies are amongst the leading taxpayers in the country.
“We therefore beseech His Excellency, Sen, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the few disgruntled elements in the petroleum sector, to stay clear of the Dangote refinery project. As patriotic citizens, we would not tolerate any conspiracy to sabotage this project, either from within or from outside Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Democracy Working Group, is a network of civil society organizations, academics, democracy activists, patriotic individuals and entrepreneurs across the six geo-political zones of the country. We work to promote democratic practices, cultures and ethics, for the attainment of good governance and sustainable development.”
New Telegraph
