They Said There’s Too Much Corruption With The Way Our Refinery Is Maintained–Olusegun Obasanjo

According to Punch Newspaper, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concerns regarding potential efforts to undermine the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a major industrial project in Nigeria.

This comes in the wake of comments by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of the Dangote Group, who alleged that certain groups, whom he referred to as ‘mafias’, were attempting to thwart the $20 billion refinery project. These assertions point to a deeper conflict surrounding the economic interests tied to the lucrative business of fuel importation in the country.

Obasanjo emphasized the importance of the Dangote refinery, noting that it should serve as an inspiration not only to Nigerians but also to the international community. He highlighted the critical role the refinery could play in reshaping Nigeria’s economic landscape, potentially reducing the nation’s dependence on imported fuel and enhancing local production capabilities. This project is seen as a beacon of industrial progress in a country grappling with energy challenges and economic instability.

The controversy surrounding the refinery’s operation has been further complicated by recent developments. It was reported that the Dangote refinery, along with other domestic refineries, had not yet purchased crude oil in naira, despite a directive from President Bola Tinubu instructing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell crude in the local currency.

This situation underscores the complexities and potential conflicts of interest in the oil sector, where financial and political interests often intersect.

In a conversation with the Financial Times, Obasanjo lamented the strategic missteps in Nigeria’s energy sector. He criticized the country’s historical over-reliance on oil, at the expense of other critical sectors like gas and agriculture.

Obasanjo described this approach as putting “all its eggs in one basket,” which has left the country vulnerable to fluctuations in the global oil market and stunted the growth of other potentially lucrative industries.

Reflecting on the challenges facing Nigeria’s refineries, Obasanjo pointed out a persistent issue of mismanagement and corruption. He argued that the decision to involve amateurs instead of seasoned professionals in the management of the refineries has exacerbated these issues.

The former president’s comments highlight a longstanding problem in the Nigerian oil sector, where inefficiencies and corrupt practices have hindered progress and development.

He said: “We have brought amateurs rather than bringing professionals. They said there’s too much corruption with the way our refinery is run and maintained. And they didn’t want to get involved in such a mess,” he explained.

On the promises that the refineries will be fixed, he asked, “How many times have they told us that? And at what price?

“Those problems, as far as the government refineries are concerned, have never gone away. They have even increased. So if you have a problem like that and that problem is not removed then you aren’t going anywhere….Viêw_ More