The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) says it is watching with sustained interest, the unfolding drama being orchestrated by some powerful vested interests to frustrate the good example which the nations leading investor and entrepreneur, Aliko ?angote, represents by defying all formidable odds to build a private-owned petroleum refinery in Nigeria.
In an issued statement in Abuja yesterday, signed by the NEF convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, the NEF noted that ?angote Refinery, which is reputed to be the biggest single-train refinery in the world, is a technological marble that showcases the most advanced innovation in the trade field and also the symbol of Nigerias national pride.
It said: “This remarkable business feat, which ordinarily should instantly earn him national encomiums and accolades, had paradoxically ignited the malicious fury of enemies of the country who are strategically located in the oil and gas sector of the economy and had been wreaking havoc over the years through many subterfuges, resulting in the crippling of the nations refining capacity and the ruthless imposition of a ruinous regime of massive refined oil and other sundry products importation to the detriment of our national growth and economic global competitiveness”.
