The Nigerian Democracy Working Group, has raised an alarm over plans to sabotage the Dangote Refinery.
The CSOs warned that if such a plan is allowed to be perfected it will send a bad signal to other investors planning to come to Nigeria.
The democracy group is made up of a network of civil society organizations, academics, democracy activists, patriotic individuals and entrepreneurs across the six geo political zones of the country.
In a statement jointly signed by The convener, Dr. Vincent Okpara Innocent and co-convener, Dr. Idris Aliyu Mohammed, the CSOs said they have observed with dismay, the purported conspiracy to sabotage the huge investment of the Dangote Refinery project, by some individuals who do not wish well for Nigeria and the Nigerian citizens.
“This development is not only dangerous to the Nigerian economy, but could also be a red card to the potential investors, and counterproductive to the long-term advocacy for investment by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. This is surely a clear attempt to lay waste to the efforts of the present administration to attract foreign investments into the country.
“The establishment of a cutting edge refinery-a technological marvel of the highest global standards by Alh Aliko Dangote in Nigeria is a visionary move beyond the call of duty, it is also patriotic, pointing to a deep seated concern for the general public by setting the ball rolling towards a revolutionized petroleum sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“The Dangote refinery project is an investment that would boost economic activities in the petroleum sector and cause a drastic upsurge in the Gross Domestic Product GDP of the nation, it will also guarantee an increase in revenue for all strata of socio-economy in deep connection to the larger public,” the CSOs said while calling for caution.
The group said the Dangote refinery project is not only a historic turning point to resuscitate the petroleum sector in the country but that it has also established a precedence towards uprooting the endemic corruption in the sector, a development which is no doubt welcomed by all patriotic Nigerians regardless of our regional, religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“We would like to caution His Excellency, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian authorities that are involved, to thread carefully on the matter of Dangote Refinery and of course on other matters that are genuinely aimed towards alleviating the collective sufferings of the Nigerian population.
“Let it also be acknowledged that, this project is not for the Northern states or the Southerners, it is a project for all Nigerians, we must therefore be jealous and collectively come together to support it and to seek protection for it against any evil plan to sabotage it.
“We wish to remind all Nigerians that, Alh. Aliko Dangote, built the largest single train refinery in the entire world, not in his home town of Kano, or any State of the North, the region where he belongs to, but rather in Lagos State, because he sees it as a national project for all Nigerians to benefit.
“Aside from this historic and revolutionary investment in the Petroleum sector, he has also established the second-largest sugar refinery in the world equally in Lagos State. Similarly, he established the largest cement factory in the world, not in Kano but in Kogi State,” the CSOs said adding that Dangote mind-blowing mindset and unrivaled insight has opened up new chapters in the Business and investment sectors; and established one of the second-largest fertilizer plants in the world, set to overtake the biggest existing plant in Qatar, also not in Kano, but in Lagos State and which has already begun to export globally.
“It is our humble opinion that Aliko Dangote plays an important role in nation building especially in the face of the endemic failure of some elected leaders in the public sector looking at the corrupt and widespread diversion of public funds and neglect of duty leading to infrastructural collapse which makes Nigeria to rank very high on the global Corruption Perception Index.
“It is our responsibility therefore to commend this dedicated and respected individual and to appreciate his contribution towards easing the citizens collective hardship by job creation for the teaming Nigerian public, we must without any reservations wish him only the best.
“It is our humble opinion that Aliko Dangote plays important roles in nation building. It is also on the record that this committed citizen, Alh. Aliko Dangote is the largest private sector employer of labor and his companies are amongst the leading taxpayers in the country.
“We therefore beseech His Excellency, Sen, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on the few disgruntled elements in the petroleum sector, to stay clear of the Dangote refinery project. As patriotic citizens, we would not tolerate any conspiracy to sabotage this project, either from within or from outside Nigeria,” the group added.