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By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor
Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has alleged that some influential fuel importers fought hard to frustrate the establishment of the $20 billion refinery.
He said the “mafia” feared that the refinery would alter the trade flows that encouraged massive importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria despite the country’s status as a major crude oil producer and exporter.
According to him, he was determined to end the prolonged fuel queues in Nigeria, noting that it was worrisome that Nigerians sometimes spent hours and even days trying to buy fuel at filling stations.
He said the refinery project, launched in 2013, encountered many obstacles, some allegedly created by entrenched interests in the oil business.
He added that the cost of building critical infrastructure such as a port, heavy equipment facilities and a treated water plant was enormous.
Dangote stated that despite the challenges and discouragement, he pushed ahead with the project in order to strengthen Nigeria’s and by extension Africa’s energy security.