Peter Obi, has congratulated multi-billionaire Aliko Dangote as his refinery commenced production on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
In a statement via his verified X handle on Monday night, Obi said he received the news of the commencement of operations of the refinery from a popular Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), hailed Dangote and his entire team at The Dangote Group on this momentous occasion, saying that the inaugural shipment of the first one million barrels of crude to the refinery is a major milestone in the Nigerian energy sector.
Obi said, as exemplified by the Dangote Group, that the private sector will play a crucial role in the struggle to move the nation from consumption to production
He added that this will help create jobs, generate the much-needed foreign exchange, and encourage the growth of other small-scale businesses in the industry.
He wrote: “Today, I received from my friend and dear brother,@realFemiOtedola, the news of the Commencement of operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos. I join other Nigerians in congratulating my dear brother, @AlikoDangote, and his entire team at The Dangote Group on this momentous occasion.
“The inaugural shipment of the first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO) to the refinery stands as a major milestone in the Nigerian energy sector.
“Having earlier witnessed the Commissioning of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals as the World’s Largest Single Train Petroleum Refinery, I do believe it will be very beneficial to Nigeria’s troubled economy.
“When it operates maximally, the refinery will boast a capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand for petroleum products and help Nigeria save the much-needed foreign exchange currently spent on the importation of such products.
“It’s expected that by meeting our domestic demand and supplying the surplus to the International markets, Nigeria will take its place as a key player in the downstream petroleum sector of the global market.
“As exemplified by the Dangote Group, the private sector will play a crucial role in our struggle to move our nation from consumption to production. This will help to create jobs, help in generating the much-needed foreign exchange, and encourage the growth of other small-scale businesses in the industry.
