By Kawaekwune Jeffrey
Elder statesman, former Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Information, and prominent South-South leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, has commended Nigerian billionaire business mogul and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote on the successful completion of the Dangote Refinery located at Ibeju Lekki Axis of Lagos State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Clark, the National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), praised Dangote for what he described as his great vision, noting that the refinery will have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy and as well restore the country’s status as a global player in the oil industry.
Clark who is also the national leader of the Ijaws, lamented that Nigeria has for nearly three decades depended on the importation of refined petroleum products, which subjected the nation to fuel shortages and persistent long queues at filling stations.
He averred that the Dangote Refinery, capable of processing 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, has the potential to eliminate Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, create jobs, and enhance local economic growth.
He said: “This is a landmark achievement for our country, and we are all grateful for Alhaji Dangote’s vision and commitment. He has re-established Nigeria’s global prominence.”
Clark also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build on the success of the Dangote Refinery by ensuring adequate crude oil supply to meet the refinery’s production capacity.
He urged Tinubu to implement policies that would guarantee affordable fuel prices for Nigerians. He said: “I call on President Tinubu to sustain the momentum of this success by ensuring that the refinery is equipped with enough crude to meet national demand. This will benefit all Nigerians, especially with affordable fuel prices, as seen in other oil-producing countries.”
Clark also reiterated the need for Tinubu to revive Modular Refinery policy, which aims to establish smaller, community-based refineries.
It would be recalled that the Modular Refinery policy was one of the initiatives endorsed by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to boost local refining capacity and reduce oil theft in the Niger Delta region. Clark added: “This is an opportunity to create more jobs and stimulate economic growth in the Niger Delta.”
