09 September 2013, Lagos – Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, weekend, expressed delight over the proposed N9billion Dangote refinery/petro-chemical and fertiliser complex expected to assume production in 2016.
NUPENG said the refinery would go a long way to ending the perennial scarcity of petroleum products and put an end to the current massive importation of products.
While commending the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for the project, the union called on other private investors and the multinational oil companies to take a cue from Dangote, especially 18 firms that were granted licences to establish refineries under Obasanjo regime and have not made any move to live up to expectations.
The Dangote Group and a consortium of local banks and international investors, last Wednesday, signed N9billion to build a refinery/petrol-chemical and fertiliser complex at the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas, OKLNG, Free Trade Zone, between Ogun and Ondo states.
NUPENG in a statement through its General Secretary, Isaac Aberare, said: “NUPENG commends Nigeria’s great entrepreneur, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for his initiative and bold step to establish the largest refinery in the country.
“The union is happy with this development coming from the private sector, because it will go a long way to end the perennial scarcity of petroleum products and put an end to the current massive importation of products from abroad by 2016, when the refinery comes on stream.
“The union prays to the Almighty God to bless him and give him the strength to complete the project. NUPENG is really encouraged by the initiative as it will lead to direct employment of many unemployed youths in the country.
– Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vanguard
