Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that the country’s cabals in the oil and gas sector could frustrate the $20 billion Dangote Refinery just for being the sole beneficiary of refined petrol import.
Chief Obasanjo in a chat with Financial Times against the backdrop of Dangote Refinery’s crisis, said that those involved in the sales of “refined products” for Nigeria feel the lucrative opportunities they enjoy will be lost.
“Aliko’s investment in a refinery, if it goes well, should encourage both Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in Nigeria.
“If those who are selling or supplying refined products for Nigeria feel that they will lose the lucrative opportunity, they will also make every effort to get him frustrated.
“I believe we made a very, very deadly mistake. We put all our eggs in one basket of oil. We even ignored gas. We were flaring gas, which is a very important commodity.
“We ignored agriculture, which should have been the centerpiece of our economic development,” he said.
saharandaily