Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has said cabals in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector will continue to frustrate the $20 billion Dangote Refinery because it is benefiting from refined petrol import.
He disclosed this in a recent interview with the Financial Times.
This comes amid the continued crisis Dangote Refinery is grappling with in the crude oil supply.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last week had directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in Naira.
Meanwhile, speaking on the travails of the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Obasanjo said if the Refinery goes well, both Nigerians and non-Nigerians will be encouraged to invest in the country.
He noted that those “selling refined products for Nigeria” feel that they will lose the lucrative opportunities.
“Aliko’s investment in a refinery, if it goes well, should encourage both Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in Nigeria.
“If those who are selling or supplying refined products for Nigeria feel that they will lose the lucrative opportunity, they will also make every effort to get him frustrated,” Obasanjo stated.
Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of Dangote Industries, had raised an alarm that international oil companies are frustrating Dangote Refinery by selling crude at higher prices.
This comes as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Farouk Ahmed had accused Dangote of monopolistic tendency.
However, Dangote had faulted Ahmed’s accusations.