President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otumba Francis Meshioye has said that the success of the Dangote oil refinery is a wakeup call on, and a challenge to, those in the Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.
“The success of the Dangote Refinery serves as an inspiration to all of us in the manufacturing sector. It demonstrates what is possible when we combine innovation, technology and investment to create world-class facilities that benefit the entire nation.”
Otunba Francis Meshioye, who spoke after a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrol Chemical Complex and Fertilizer Plant in Lagos today, November 13, described the refinery as a source of pride and a gift not only to Nigeria but to the African continent and the world.
According to him, Dangote Refinery is a game-changer in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, adding that it would create jobs and drive economic growth as well as contribute to the nation’s energy security and self-sufficiency.
“To have been inspired to establish this facility is very magnificent. It is the first ever in Africa and the first ever of such refinery in the whole world. It has many first, first and first.”
MAN president stressed that Dangote Refinery would have a positive impact on the entire manufacturing value chain, provide a reliable source of fuel and petrochemical products that are essential for capacity utilisation and value addition.
“The company has the capacity to produce all our needs locally, petroleum, and other similar products: no one would come to the facility and he would not be inspired or encouraged to ensure that all the support that the company requires should be given to it.”
The MAN President advised the government to do all that is humanly possible to ensure that the facility works Optimally.
“It is prudent and expedient that the necessary supports are given to the company for the economic benefits of Nigeria.
“If the facility can produce 650,000 barrels of crude per day and Nigeria is producing far above this volume per day, she should give the facility all crude it needed to produce.
“With this kind of facility that starts from quality control to quality assurance, just to ensure that the harmful effects of the products are at zero level, what can be greater than this? “This is very unique and I will encourage all stakeholders to give maximum support, and not by the way support, but maximum support.
“The facility can deliver products between 1760 trucks to 1800 trucks per day. So if you have such several trucks going out of the facility a day to various destinations in Nigeria, so many people will benefit from it. There will be more jobs, many families will be comfortable because of the jobs this will create, many artisans will benefit and it will have a spillover effect on so many sectors of the economy.
“If they can produce AGO, gasoline and Jet A fuel, this is good and the government should have no reason not to ensure the facility gets its backing to carry out its activities, because it is going to benefit massively.”
