Ten governors on the platform of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Friday visited the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals at Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos, stating that it is a pride to Nigeria and Africa.
The governors, led by the Forum’s chairman, who is the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals as a salute to entrepreneurship. Fayemi said the project would contribute immensely to the economic growth of the nation and provide employment to thousands of Nigerians.
He said: “This is an inspirational initiative by the President of the Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote. It demonstrates the possibility where the government provides the enabling the environment with the way the Lagos State government has done for individuals that are serious-minded and have what it takes to excel
“This is an individual that has put together a $12 billion the project that we have toured almost throughout the day and had to cut it short to be able to attend to other businesses.
“This is pride in Africa and not just to Nigeria. I don’t know anywhere in Africa, you will find a complex such as this.
“I don’t think that there are many places in the world where you will find a complex as comprehensive and extensive as the one we have been privileged to tour.
“We are all looking forward to the products that will come out from this place; the plastics, the oil from the refinery and the fertilizers for our agriculture.”
The NGC chairman was accompanied on the visit by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Simon Lalong, Plateau; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Bala Mohammed, Bauchi; Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Kwara; Babagana Zulum, Borno; Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna and Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Cross River. Fayemi said state governments’ investment in agriculture would be given a boost by the fertilizer plant which is the largest in Africa.
He urged governments to continue to create an enabling environment through the right incentives and policies, as well as the provision of infrastructure needed to attract investors to their states.
Also speaking, Sanwo-Olu commended Dangote for deciding to put the strategic investment in Lagos, adding that the government would continue to do its best to support the smooth completion of the project.
