National President of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Amb. Godknows Igali has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to consciously and intentionally protect and support monumental investments like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, describing them as vital national assets crucial for Nigeria’s and indeed Africa’s industrial future.
Amb. Igali made this assertion while commending the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for his insightful contributions during a recent appearance on the AIT programme, “Focus Nigeria.”
He stated that the vision and scale of the $20 billion refinery project place it in a category that demands unique national safeguarding.
“The Dangote Refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset. The magnitude of jobs it creates, the technological advancement it represents, and the pivot it offers from a raw material export economy to a value-added industrial one, are of immense national importance,” Amb. Igali stated.
He emphasized that the future prosperity of Africa is inextricably linked to the prudent management and utilization of its natural resources. “Africa can only remain relevant on the global stage to the extent that we protect, process, and add value to our natural resources within our shores. Allowing the Dangote Refinery to thrive is a definitive step in that direction.”
To this end, Amb. Igali urged the government to implement a policy that prioritizes the supply of crude oil to domestic refiners like Dangote over export contracts.
“It is counter-intuitive and economically disadvantageous to continue exporting our crude oil while a refinery of such capacity, which can meet our domestic fuel needs and produce for the international market, is starved of its primary raw material. We must give concessions and ensure that Nigerian crude is made available to Nigerian refineries as a matter of national priority,” Amb. Igali asserted.
He concluded that this paradigm shift is non-negotiable for Africa’s industrial ascent. “This is the only pathway for Nigeria and Africa to stand industrially, build resilient economies, and gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace. Protecting investors like Dangote is synonymous with protecting our national economic destiny.”