Create enabling environments for Dangote to end fuel importation — WASU tells FG, hails Dangote over Refinery

By David Odama

The Executive Council and Members of the West African Students’ Union (WASU), has called on the federal government and other Nigerians to adoption and accept Dangote refinery to end fuel importation

WASU in a statement signed by Comrade Pillah Romans and made available to on Sunday appealed to the federal government and other stakeholders in the oil industry not to deny Dangote Refinery access to local crude to enable the company bridge the gap between refining and importation of fuel product into the country.

The Students’ Union while commending Aliko Dangote for the establishment of the Dangote Refinery, described his visionary disposition as a groundbreaking development that will transform the petroleum industry in Africa and across the globe.

The students, who noted that Dangote Petroleum Refinery is a groundbreaking investment that will meet 100 percent of the country’s refined products needs, boost the revenue earnings of the country, said there was need to support Dangote refinery to source crude locally.

WASU while advocating for economic growth, job creation, industrialization and prosperity in the sub region especially in the area of development noted that there can only be end to the crisis in the oil industry when the government and others are ready to support indigenous refinery to thrive.

“This has led to significant disruptions in the supply chain, scarcity, and loss of precious income. Today, the country is indeed rising from slumber to take its rightful place in the West Africa sub-region.

“The value chain in this gigantic refinery is a long stretch that has hundreds of thousands as beneficiaries in both direct and indirect job creation. We hope that the beginning of operations of Dangote refinery will also reduce the high price of petroleum products in the country and elsewhere.” the statement added

WASU also called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to desist from frustrating the efforts of the Dangote Refinery in pursuance to getting crude oil internally for smooth production of oil and gas within the country.

“We want to appeal to the president to ensure that the company gets crude oil internally as this will alleviate the burden and hardship faced by the average Nigerians”.

“We discovered during our visit to Ibeju-Lekki Dangote refinery has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude per day. We therefore unequivocally call for the immediate sack of Farouk Ahmed. It is now clear that he as the CEO of NMDPRA is responsible for issuing import licenses to his cronies outside the government to continue to import Sub-standards Refined Petroleum Products into the country.”, the statement alleges.

WASU then appreciated the 10th National Assembly, good-spirited individuals and associations who have been rallying support for Aliko Dangote saying WASU has come to drum supports for Dangote refinery.

While also commending the Vice President of Gas and Oil at Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Devakumar Edwin, for his commitment to sourcing and refining local crudes for Nigeria’s benefit, WASU warned that if the denial continues, they will not hesitate to publicly name and protest against the identified those sabotaging the nation’s efforts self-sufficiency in refined products.