We have been inundated by very worrisome news emanating from the recently inaugurated giant Dangote refinery. In summary, their tears can be encapsulated into two major boxes of grief.
The first being self inflicted while the other being of external causes even though carrying with it originations locally.
Let me briefly explain, should in case some of us have been hybernating under a rock. The Dangote group have come out to say that the IOCs are doing everything within their powers to frustrate their operations by either creating artificial scarcity of crude or throwing up the prices each rendering the planning and operations of the huge refinery awry.
This situation has made them go as far afield as the US for crude with grave consequences in their permutations and plans.
The second one is the issuance of very funny licences to all manner of people who now flood the market with cheap and low quality diesel thereby also causing them disruptions in market penetration and also in pricing amongst others.
Now my thoughts. Dangote Refinery is an economic game changer especially if you look at it from the so many areas with which it impacts the economy. From infrastructure to job creation, technology transfer, forex earnings, revenue mobilization to different tiers of Government, economic impact on allied SMEs to mention a few.
Now these impacts are not just a tipple but come with very massive benefits to Government and to the people of Nigeria and this is why this their cry must not only be heard but most be addressed by authorities very fervently.
Government must come to the realisation that the Dangote Refinery is no longer one mans thing but now a National cause and as such must attract and receive sovereign backing in whatever struggles it finds itself.
This takes me back to the days of the Ibrahim Babangida regime, where they pushed the notion of economic diplomacy where the Government is the chief marketing officer of Nigerian economic opportunities.
The Dangote Refinery must be the Governments major client. The Government must as a matter of urgency sit up and begin to partner with it in this struggle.
I do not know whatever agreements exist and guide operations between the IOCs who are being alleged to be playing games with supply and pricing, the governments relevant bodies must as a matter of urgency step in and ensure orderlines in the space.
As for the licencing by the errant government agency, that should not be too difficult to address if corruption will allow it.
I really would not like to sing about the woes of corruption in these things cause it is now very tiring but when it now begins to take an incestous dimension then a thick line has to be drawn.
Why pull in carcigenous products for profits to now push out genuine, high quality products being produced locally. Just beats common sense.
Everything must be done to protect this Refinery until it stabilises in its operations and is strong enough to stand on its own.
This is very imperative esp if you take into consideration that out of the hordes that was given licences to operate, they are the only ones who are not only operating but have put something down in an iconic manner.
Weep not my child, joy comes in the morning
Thank you
