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| Ambode with Eyadama after visit to Dangote Refinery |
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, said the Dangote
Refinery being developed at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) by Africa’s
richest man and business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will surely
resolve fuel supply challenge in the West African region.
He said the refinery being sited in Lagos was another confirmation
that Lagos is a prime investment destination, as the project would
positively change the face of oil and gas business in the West African
region.
Ambode, who spoke at the LFTZ during an extensive inspection tour of
the Dangote Refinery by the Togolese President, Mr Faure Gnassingbe,
said the refinery eloquently attests to the fact that there is a
positive investment climate in Lagos which has resulted in massive
investor confidence.
“This investment (Dangote Refinery) is one of the biggest in Africa
today and will have a huge impact on the economy of not only Nigeria but
the whole of West African region. This refinery, when completed, will
be the largest single line refinery anywhere in the world refining
650,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Apart from creating jobs, this
refinery will contribute immensely to solving the fuel supply challenge
in the West African region,” he said.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done on
the project so far, saying that he was happy that a lot of progress had
been made, while commending Dangote for his vision, doggedness and
unwavering desire to contribute positively to the growth of the Nigerian
economy, as well as his confidence in the Lagos economy.
Ambode said aside the fact that the project confirmed the positive
investment climate in Lagos which had resulted in massive investor
confidence, he also strongly believed that the future prosperity of West
Africa was in collaboration between government and investors, which was
why his administration had been working hard to encourage investment in
the State.
He reiterated that Lagos was home to all nations, races and creeds,
including substantial Togolese population, adding: “I’m positive that we
are providing them with the opportunities to get ahead in their
endeavors.”
Ambode said as a prominent Head of State in the West African region,
he was not oblivious of the interest of President Gnassingbe in the
Dangote Refinery, adding that the project was one of the emerging
opportunities in Lagos State.
While inviting Togolese investors to take advantage of the positive
investment climate in Lagos, the governor said the State was open for
businesses, and that his administration, in a bid to encourage
investment, had massively invested in infrastructure and security of
lives and property.
“Lagos is open for business. We are open to collaboration with the
Togolese Government and investors to move our two countries forward. Our
government is investing massively in creating infrastructure which will
support businesses and individuals. We have made huge investment in
security and we will continue to ensure that the lives and property of
all citizens are secured.
“We will remain partner in progress with all our investors. Our
desire is for investors to invest in Lagos, grow their businesses,
create wealth and jobs for our people and ultimately grow our Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) positively,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu
Enelamah said the Dangote Refinery project could best be described as a
partnership between private sector and government at its best.
Enelamah commended Dangote for being not only Nigerian champion but
champion of Africa with his massive investments and re-investments,
which according to him, were creating jobs and growing the economy.
“We need champions and Dangote is a Nigerian champion; he is an
African champion; he is also a role model. We need many examples and
with the repositioning that the Federal Government is doing, we are
going to see many more examples,” Enelamah said.
On his part, Dangote commended President Gnassingbe for finding time
to inspect the refinery, adding that he was happy with the interest and
encouragement being received over the project.
“Apart from the refinery, there is also petrochemical, fertilizer and
gas plant with daily production capacity of three billion cubic feet of
gas which are being developed by the Dangote Group, all in one
location,” he said.
Some eminent dignitaries that participated at the tour include former
governors of Ogun, Ekiti and Cross River States, Segun Osoba, Niyi
Adebayo and Donald Duke respectively; billionaire businessman and
Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola, members of the
Lagos State Executive Council, among others.
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