Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has waded into the controversy between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), warning that the investing world will never trust and want to do business with any nation that undermines its key assets.
In a post on his verified Facebook account, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the 650,000 bpd refinery as essential to Nigeria’s energy needs and economic stability, indeed, a big boost to the nation’s economy, warning that the current face-off between Dangote and NMDPRA would, if not properly addressed, adversely affect foreign direct investment inflow into Nigeria.
Daily Query reports that Aliko Dangote had earlier on cried out over the antics of ‘a cabal’ bent on undermining the operations of the refinery for their own selfish purposes by blocking his moves to import crude to feed his refinery.
But there was soon a twist to the story when NMDPRA denied that the government had even licensed the Dangote refinery to begin operations, going further to deride the quality of the products from the refinery as ‘no good’.
However, at an interactive session at the weekend with Members of the House of Representatives led by the speaker, Dangote countered the claim, saying the diesel from his refinery is of a very high standard, much higher than the imported variety conveniently sanctioned by the regulatory authorities.
CTaking umbrage at the rift, the former Vice President and Wazirin Adamawa said: “The conflict between Aliko Dangote and NMDPRA is troubling. The Dangote Refinery, our nation’s largest private investment, is crucial for Nigeria’s energy and economic stability.
“The 650,000 bpd refinery is essential for our energy needs and economic stability, and NNPCL’s investment underscores its importance. If we neglect this, we risk deterring vital foreign direct investment.
“No investor will trust a nation that undermines its key assets. Protecting significant investments like Dangote’s is essential to attracting FDI and driving our economic growth.”
