Billionaire Femi Otedola has congratulated Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote as the latter’s refinery commences production.
On Friday, December 8, Dangote Refinery said it received its first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO).
The company said the inaugural one million barrels of crude supply, which represents the first phase of the six million barrels to be supplied to its refinery by several suppliers, should sustain the initial 350,000 barrels per day needed for the commencement of crude production at its facility.
It also said that the next four cargoes will be supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in two to three weeks while the final six cargoes will be supplied by ExxonMobil.
In his social media post on Sunday, Otedola wrote, “I heartily congratulate my bestie @aliko_dangotegcon as the 8th Wonder of the World – the $20 Billion (Twenty Billion Dollars) @dangotegroup Refinery – officially commences production.”
Otedola said the Dangote Petrochemical Complex, which consists of the petroleum refinery, a polypropylene facility, and fertilizer plants, was not just an industrial milestone but “a testament to the visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence of one of Africa’s finest and most dogged patriots.”
Otedola noted that he had a front-row seat as the vision was conceptualised and took shape.
“And I am familiar with the sleepless nights you’ve had to work through over the last decade to bring this dream to fruition,” he added.
The chairman of Geregu Power said the refinery is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians and Africans, adding that it is also environment-friendly.
Commissioned in May by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari after years of delay, the facility in the Lekki area of Lagos State is billed as Africa’s largest oil refinery.
