The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, notes with appreciation the legacy of the development of an African Nigerian, Mr Aliko Dangote’s mega refinery complex in an African country (Nigeria) that was a major crude exporter and importer of refined petroleum products.

Mr Mahumapelo said Aliko had a very deep faith in his country and the ability of its land and its people to translate an idea of a complex refinery into a practical complex development that offered remarkable economic spin-offs to the people of Nigeria. Aliko was discouraged even by knowledgeable Nigerians to invest for the complex refinery in a Nigerian land, which according to them showed no positive conditions for the development of a refinery.

According to media reports, notwithstanding the discouragement, Aliko invested $9 billion on the project in Nigeria. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is now sitting in all majesty in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Ibeju-Lekki in Nigeria, covering a land area of approximately 2,635 hectares, seven times the size of Victoria Island.

As Nigerians rejoice with Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group family, according to media reports, they say they need to give kudos to the Buhari administration for ensuring that the complex comes to fruition, by ensuring that it was not starved of needed foreign exchange and taking a stake in it. “African countries should emulate this example of practical patriotism of Aliko to discover potentials of their countries,” said Mr Mahumapelo.

The complex brings to an end to Nigeria’s many decades of shame, for being unable to refine its crude and having to depend on importation, wasting scarce forex. Aliko demonstrated that there is wisdom even in Africa and that Africa too has an ability for economic development.

“It is encouraging and reviving as people of Africa to note a potential of this nature in the African continent. Aliko Dangote proved that there is ability in Africa to produce a complex refinery and to process its products within Africa,” said Mr Mahumapelo.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mava Lukani (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 503 1840
E-mail: mlukani@parliament.gov.za

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