Last month, Nigerians listened to the CEO of Dangote Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. He said that from this June, 2024, Nigerians would no longer need to import even a drop of petrol.
His 650,000 bpd refinery will supply all the petrol we need and even export to other West African countries.
Since then both the federal and state governments plus our National Assembly members have been praising this richest man in Africa. And most Nigerians agree with them that he deserves all the accolades. At least fuel scarcity will become a thing of the past. And price may even reduce, even if marginally. That is like the much awaited uhuru in our nation. That should at least make every Nigerian happy.
But some people also have a little worry.
Just thinking: If Dangote Refinery can supply all the fuel we need, then what will happen to our refineries?
Will they become redundant? What about the employees?What will be the fate of the modular refineries, the petroleum depots and their thousands of employees ?
They ask these questions because people dread the mere thought of a monopoly in a big nation like ours. And over a product at the heart of our economic life. Let’s even look at the issue of energy security. Won’t it be troubling if we just have one huge refinery supplying us all the fuel we need in this country.
What happens if there is a technology failure? Or even strike by the workers. Disaster!
Again, as long time followers and admirers of Dangote, some of us can tell you for free that he is not your kind of business men that are comfortable with competition.
Are we then seeing the final nail on the coffin of our refineries? Just wondering!
Peoplesmind
