Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said lawmakers are committed to addressing all issues affecting the ease of doing business in Nigeria amid challenges surrounding the full take-off of the Dangote Refinery.
The Speaker said this when he led the leadership of the
House of Representatives on familiarization visit to Dangote Refinery on
Saturday.
Speaking after they were conducted around the facility by
the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Abbas noted that the tour
was part of continuous efforts to understand and support key industries in the
Nigerian economy.
“The purpose of this visit is to provide the House Leadership and the relevant oil and gas committees with an in-depth understanding of the nature, scope and activities of the Dangote Refinery. This initiative aligns with our legislative agenda, which aims to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on economic transformation, growth and development.
“This familiarisation tour underscores our commitment to
engaging with and supporting critical sectors that drive our economy. Also,
this visit provides valuable insights that will inform our legislative measures
and decisions.
“We remain dedicated to fostering an environment conducive
to economic growth and development, ensuring that our legislative actions align
with the broader goals of national progress as articulated by President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are acutely aware of the challenges facing the private
sector in Nigeria, including regulatory hurdles, infrastructure deficits, and
access to finance. The House of Representatives is committed to addressing
these issues and improving the ease of doing business in our country.
“We are working diligently to create a more
business-friendly environment through legislative reforms that streamline
processes, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance transparency. Our goal is to make
Nigeria an attractive destination for both local and international investors.
“However, the journey does not end here. There is always
more we can do together to bolster our economy.
“I encourage Dangote Group to continue exploring avenues to
complement government initiatives. By investing in renewable energy, enhancing
corporate social responsibility programs, and fostering innovation through
research and development, Dangote can further solidify its role as a key player
in our economic landscape,” he said.
The visit comes amid the outrage which followed the
revelation by the Chief Executive Officer of Downstream Petroleum Regulatory
Authority, Farouk Ahmed, that Dangote Refinery’s petroleum products are
inferior to imported ones.
Ahmed had also said that the Dangote Refinery has not been
licensed to operate, noting that it is risky to make the company’s petroleum
products monopoly in the sector.
The development has resulted in confusion in the country’s
oil and gas sector.
A former Chief Operating Officer, Upstream Operations in the
NNPCL, Engineer Bello Rabiu, said the NNPCL is a monopoly in the sector.
Recall that the Vice President of Dangote Industries
Limited, Devakumar Edwin, had alleged that International Oil Companies in
Nigeria are frustrating Dangote Refinery by selling crude oil at higher prices.
This comes after the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko
Dangote announced that the 650,000 barrels per day refinery would kick off the
supply of fuel by August.
Dangote had said if his refinery comes onboard, Nigeria
would stop the importation of fuel which sold around N617-N750 per liter.
Earlier on June 3, 2024, the Senate, led by the Senate
President, Godswill Akpabio, had visited the Dangote Refinery.
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