Dangote Petrol: Oppression Over Says Otedola

Dangote Petrol: Oppression Over, Says Otedola as the season of bowing to foreign pressure is over.

Femi Otedola, Billionaire Chairman of Geregu Power Plc  and the Son of Late former Lagos State Governor Michael Otedola has reacted to the commencement of production and distribution of premium motor spirit, widely known as Petrol, by Dangote Refinery.

Otedola, who is a friend of the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has commended him on the success attained in distributing the petroleum product out of his refinery despite stiff challenges.

He disclosed that Dangote Group has finally released Nigerians from shackles of economic dependence by building the 650,000 barrel per day refinery.

In a post on his verified social media handle, Otedola stated that the mission started two-and-half decades ago and also saluted and paid homage to the administration of the President Bola Tinubu for his unquestionable support.

Otedola said, “This day belongs to every Nigerian who has dared to dream of a better future. Congratulations to our great nation—today, we all stand a little taller.

“Aliko, it feels like just yesterday, but it has been 25 long years since we first set our sights on transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape. I remember vividly when we set up the Blue Star Consortium to acquire stakes in the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries—20% for me and 51% for you.

“We were ready to change the game, but fate had other plans. The government of the day, in an act I can only describe as utterly obnoxious, canceled our stakes and thwarted our vision.

Dangote Petrol: Oppression Over, Says Otedola

“But, as always, you refused to be deterred. You never gave up on the dream we shared. You carried the torch forward, igniting a spark that has today become a roaring flame. And now, 25 years later, here we stand on the precipice of history, with the first fuel shipment from the Dangote Refinery—a feat that is nothing short of miraculous.

“While the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries have remained dormant, their promise unfulfilled despite billions of dollars spent on so-called turn-around maintenance, you have achieved what many said was impossible. You have beaten all the skeptics, silenced the naysayers, and proved wrong those who doubted your resolve, even those who never wanted this project to succeed.

“You have not just built a refinery; you have liberated us from the chains of economic dependence that have held this nation back for far too long. The days of bowing to foreign powers for our fuel needs are over, thanks to your vision and determination.

Taking a swipe at the so-called cabal milking the nation ‘dry’ by fattening their coffers at the expense and detriment of the masses, Otedola said,

“You have dealt a death blow to the so-called local cabals who have fattened themselves for years, feeding off our nation’s economic slavery. These cabals, who have grown rich by keeping Nigeria in a perpetual state of dependence, must now face the reality that their era of easy gains is coming to an end. I am reminded of the time you revolutionized the cement industry in Nigeria.

“Ships that once brought in cement turned into rusting relics, scraps of a bygone era. Now, with your refinery in full swing, I foresee a similar fate for fuel imports. The depot owners should take heed—it’s time to dismantle those depots and sell them as scraps while the market is still high. The world has changed, and those who do not adapt will be left behind.

“When I ventured into the depot business with Zenon, it was in response to the inefficiencies of the NNPC. Zenon pioneered the diesel business in Nigeria and quickly became the largest in the country, filling the gaps left by our inefficient system. But today, your refinery stands as a beacon of what is possible when one has the audacity to dream and the tenacity to see it through.

“Aliko, you have my deepest admiration and respect. Congratulations to you and the entire board, management and staff of Dangote Refinery on this monumental achievement. This is not just a victory for you but for every Nigerian who dares to dream. May this be just the beginning of even greater things to come.”

Our Refinery Has Capability To Track Fuel Consumption In Nigeria

Aliko Dangote, President and Chairman of the Dangote Group, has boasted that their refinery has the ability to track Nigeria’s fuel consumption. He made his claim known addressing the media during the first official rollout of premium motor spirit (petrol) from his refinery on Tuesday.

It is to be recalled that there has been misconception surrounding amount of petrol consumed locally amidst rampant petrol smuggling and payment of subsidy.

In 2022, Colonel Hammed Ali (rtd), former Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), queried Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’s 60 million litre daily production, disclosing that the oil company rolled out 98 million litre daily in a contradictory statement.

Howbeit, Dangote, the richest Man in Africa, has claimed that with his functional refinery, tracking and ascertaining exact amount of fuel consumed in the country will not be an issue.

He said, “I want to personally thank Mr. President for creating this idea of Naira for crude. And also Naira for the product. Doing that, it’ll give a lot of stability for the Naira. You know, where now you remove 40% of the demands of dollars in the market and that would actually stabilise the market.

“As you know there’s quite a lot of what you call round trip where people are now doing documentation and the fuel does not come into Nigeria. And this is a fact.

“So, right now, as we have this refinery working, it’ll show the true consumption of Nigeria. We can track every single loaded truck and we can try as much as possible to track loaded ships.

“Trucks, we can tell you where they are….but that’s a discussion for another. Today’s discussion is just to celebrate and thank God Almighty for bringing us to this stage of now producing gasoline. And I know a lot of people have not actually believed that we would be able to deliver. But we’ve been able to deliver.”

https://punchng.com/dangote-refinery-queues-now-a-thing-of-the-past-says-otedola/

Dangote Petrol: Oppression Over, Says Otedola