Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery may be sabotaged by prominent interests benefitting from fuel importation into Nigeria.
This comes after Alhaji Aliko Dangote accused ‘mafias’ of throttling his $20 billion refinery project.
The success of the refinery would increase investments in Nigeria, but those profiting from the current fuel importing system may work against it, stated Obasanjo while speaking with Financial Times.
However, international oil companies have also refused to sell crude oil, or have raised prices abysmally high, posing challenges for Dangote group which seeks to establish a diesel refinery in the country.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has denied allegations regarding its issuance of licenses allowing otherwise legitimate fuel contaminated with toxic sludge to be brought into the nation.
Furthermore, he urged Nigerian governments not to depend solely on oil; there is neglect for gas and agriculture. He Suggested that, alongside corruption and mismanagement, Shell’s involvement was part of the reasons why they never got to partner with them.
The Former President faulted the government’s failure to plan properly in order to avoid any difficulties that may arise from revitalizing refineries and removing fuel subsidy policy measures.
