The chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has assured that the Dangote Refinery will be ready for commissioning before the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2023.
He gave the assurance Friday while fielding questions from State House reporters after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Asked when the refinery would be ready for operation Dangote said, “By the grace of God, Mr President will come and commission it before the end of his tenure.”
According to the Forbe’s Africa richest man, when operational, the refinery would create jobs and generate more tax money, which would be used by the government to develop the country further.
“In the near future, Nigerians are expected to see more employment; they are expected to see more prosperity. We keep doing new and good things. We also keep paying our taxes, which will complement government’s effort in providing education, good health and the rest,” he said.
Asked if he was worried about potash scarcity as a result of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict, Dangote said there was no need for worry as only 26 per cent of the world’s potash supply comes from the two countries.
“No, we are not concerned. Well, there are some few other countries that have it; it’s not only Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine and Russia have about 26 per cent of the world’s potash, but it does not mean that you cannot source potash elsewhere. So I am not really very concerned, the concern is just about price,” he said.
On the reason behind the visit of his team to the State House, he said, “We came here on a courtesy call and to thank President Buhari for personally coming to commission our fertiliser plant.”
