Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disclosed that it has faced 22 attempted sabotage incidents since commencing operations last year.
Gatekeepers News reports that the company stressed that the recent staff reorganisation is unrelated to Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Recall that the refinery recently laid off approximately 800 workers. This move led to a strike initiated by PENGASSAN which was later suspended following federal government intervention.
During a tour of the refinery, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, told journalists that the sabotage attempts were aimed at disrupting production and damaging equipment.
Edwin explained that all incidents were successfully managed thanks to the refinery’s advanced safety systems. He said, “We have been under repeated attacks. Initially, they said the refinery would never come up.”
“Then, they said it would not be commissioned or start production. Later, they spread false news about gas supply problems. Now, they are trying to insinuate operational breakdowns. None of that is true.”
The company’s official dismissed claims of operational or crude supply challenges as “completely wrong” and aimed at undermining the refinery’s achievements.
The refinery, with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is capable of meeting Nigeria’s full demand for petrol, diesel (AGO), and aviation fuel (Jet A1), while exporting nearly half of its output.
Visiting the facility, former presidential aide and social media commentator Reno Omokri praised the refinery’s performance. He said, “In less than a year, 650 ships have come here to load petroleum products for export. That’s an incredible achievement”, adding that the strength of a nation’s currency is linked to its productive and export capacity, not merely the volume of money in circulation.
King Bubaraye Dakolo, Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers’ Council, also lauded the Dangote Group for the refinery’s scale and impact, describing it as a revolutionary investment that must be maintained for the benefit of Nigeria’s economy.
