Chief Edwin Clark, National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on President Bola Tinubu to revive the policy of establishing Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta, alongside the new Dangote Refinery.
Clark also urged the President to ensure that fuel pricing does not exacerbate the hardships faced by Nigerians. He noted that in many countries, locally produced goods are made affordable to their citizens. Clark extended his congratulations to Nigerians for the national pride regained with the commencement of domestic petroleum production after nearly 30 years of relying on imports.
He commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for positioning Nigeria on the global stage with the new refinery, which he believes will have a lasting impact on the country’s energy security, employment, and economic growth. Clark highlighted that the refinery’s success could reduce the long queues at filling stations and boost the economy by increasing domestic production and creating jobs.
Clark also praised Dangote for his philanthropic efforts, including the distribution of rice across Nigeria, and urged other entrepreneurs to follow his example in contributing to national development.
In his congratulatory statement on behalf of the South South geopolitical zone, Clark acknowledged the completion of the Dangote Refinery and its impact on the nation. He recalled that the Modular Refineries Policy was previously endorsed by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which included a promise to establish a Special Fund.
Clark called on President Tinubu to continue supporting such projects and to ensure that sufficient crude oil is available to operate the 650,000 barrels per day refinery and other new facilities. He emphasized that the policy of creating Modular Refineries in the Niger Delta should be revisited to complement the Dangote Refinery and contribute further to the country’s energy needs.