The National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has commended President Bola Tinubu over the rollout of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, from the Dangote Refinery.
He also urged the President to continue supporting similar projects in the industry.
Clark further urged President Tinubu to ensure that the pricing regime does not inflict additional suffering on the Nigerian people, adding that there must be a regular supply of crude to the refinery to sustain its 650,000 barrels per day production capacity.
This was outlined in a statement signed by Chief Clark on Tuesday.
“Let me also extend my congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under whose leadership this remarkable achievement has been realised. I urge Mr President to continue supporting this commendable effort and all similar projects in the national oil and gas industry. It is especially important that there is regular access to sufficient crude oil to service these 650,000 barrels per day refinery and all other new ones.
“In addition, the pricing regime must not impose further hardship on Nigerians. In many countries, goods that they produce are easily affordable to their citizens. President Tinubu, this should not be different here in Nigeria,” the statement partly read.
The Ijaw leader also noted that the operation of the Dangote Refinery presents an opportunity to revisit the policy on creating modular refineries in the Niger Delta, which was previously endorsed by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Let me also remind Mr President that this is also an opportunity to revisit the policy of creating modular refineries in the Niger Delta to complement the Dangote Refinery. This policy of modular refineries was endorsed by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with a promise to create a Special Fund,” he said.
Clark also commended the Chief Executive Officer of the refinery, Aliko Dangote, for the completion of the refinery and his philanthropic activities.
He said the “significant milestone” will boost the Nigerian economy by increasing domestic production and creating thousands of jobs for young people.
“On behalf of the people of the South-South geopolitical zone, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and commendation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, on the successful completion of the Dangote Refinery and the rollout of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on 3 September 2024, with supply to the entire country commencing from 15 October 2024.
“It is clear to all Nigerians that Alhaji Dangote’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation have once again positioned Nigeria on the global stage. There is no doubt that this significant milestone will greatly boost the Nigerian economy by increasing domestic production, reducing reliance on imports, and creating thousands of jobs for our young people. If things proceed as expected, the shame and pain of long queues at filling stations will soon become a thing of the past.
“While I await Aliko Dangote’s establishment of a similar presence through projects in the Niger Delta, I also take this opportunity to commend him for his continued philanthropic work, including the distribution of rice across Nigeria. I urge other entrepreneurs to show similar commitment to our national development and the upliftment of our people,” he said
