The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers on Saturday said that the establishment of a refinery by Alhaji Aliko Dangote would reduce the importation of petroleum products.
This was contained in a statement in Lagos, signed by NUPENG’s General Secretary, Isaac Aberare.
The statement said: “The union is happy with this development coming from the private sector; it will stop the massive importation of products from abroad by 2016 when the refinery is established.
“NUPENG is encouraged by the initiative as it will create jobs for many unemployed youths in the country.”
He said that the refinery and petrochemical plant would add value to the oil and gas industry.
The union scribe said that it would also create indirect employment to thousands of people in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to him, the establishment of the refinery is good because the oil and gas industry is experiencing a decline.
Aberare said: “It will save the country the use of foreign exchange to procure imported fuel and materials.
“The Dangote refinery will become a major foreign exchange earner in the export of refined petroleum.”
Aberare called on other investors and multinational oil companies to take a cue from Dangote, especially the 18 firms that were granted licences to establish refineries some three years ago.
The union scribe advised the Federal Government to endeavour to rehabilitate the roads in different parts of the country to make haulage of petroleum products easy for distribution to end users.
He also urged the government to improve electricity supply to ensure that refineries did not depend on generators to refine products.
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