The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has hailed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset, describing it as a vital step towards bridging Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting employment, and restoring public confidence in the country’s industrial capacity.
Following a tour of the Dangote Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, praised the scale and strategic significance of the Dangote Group’s investments, stating that the projects are crucial for bridging the availability gap of essential products, creating job opportunities, and industrializing the country.
Sessi noted that the removal of petrol subsidies led to a surge in the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), but credited the Dangote Refinery with stabilizing prices, emphasizing that relief began when Dangote entered the market.
She urged the Federal Government to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in naira, arguing that this would lower operational costs and lead to more sustainable fuel prices. Sessi expressed concern that forcing the company to import crude or pay in dollars undermines the promise of lower fuel prices for ordinary Nigerians.
With a daily capacity of 650,000 barrels, the refinery has the potential to serve Nigeria and the West African sub-region, reflecting the transformation seen in the cement industry. Sessi believes that the success of the Dangote Refinery could stimulate competition and growth within the refining sector, benefiting the broader economy.
She highlighted the Dangote Group’s role in nurturing local talent, noting that many Nigerian engineers, scientists, and technicians have gone on to work as expatriates in various countries. Sessi urged continued commitment to human capital development and the overall well-being of the economy, emphasizing Aliko Dangote’s dedication to Nigeria’s progress.
