KEY POINTS
- MURIC held a solidarity rally supporting Dangote Refinery, highlighting threats from unions and vested interests.
- The group called for government protection, crude allocation, payment in naira, and enforcement of import tariffs to safeguard refinery operations.
- Analysts warn that disruptions in production could increase fuel, transport, and food costs, directly affecting household budgets and business expenses.
The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has publicly thrown its weight behind Dangote Refinery, warning that the $20 billion facility has become a focal point of national debate and is increasingly threatened by union actions.
MURIC held a peaceful solidarity rally in Lagos, where its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, emphasised the refinery’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy.
“Nigeria cannot afford to waste a $20 billion investment that is already performing wonders. Dangote Refinery is a money spinner, yet this is the same refinery that unions wish to strangle. Nigerians must not be caught napping,” Akintola said.
The rally highlighted growing concerns that disruptions in the refinery could ripple through the economy. Fuel shortages, rising transport costs, and higher food prices are likely outcomes if operations are hindered, he warned, potentially impacting millions of ordinary Nigerians who are already grappling with high living costs.
MURIC: Calls for Policy Reforms and Government Protection
MURIC outlined a series of demands aimed at safeguarding Dangote Refinery, including a full allocation of crude oil to the facility, the end of oil imports, payment for crude in naira, and a review of labour laws to make them more investor-friendly. The organisation also called for a ban on the activities of PENGASSAN and NUPENG in private refineries and urged the federal government to enforce the 15 per cent import tariff on foreign oil products.
Akintola stressed that MURIC, as a human rights and corporate social responsibility organisation, is prepared to defend the refinery in the national interest. “It is imperative that the refinery is shielded from disruptions caused by unions or vested interests, including what some refer to as the subsidy cabal,” he said.
He added that ensuring the refinery’s uninterrupted operations would not only sustain local fuel supply but also stabilise transport and food prices, providing relief to households and small businesses alike.
Economic Implications for Nigerians
Analysts note that Dangote Refinery, as one of the largest integrated facilities in Africa, has the potential to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel. By producing petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel domestically, the refinery could lower costs for consumers and improve overall economic efficiency.
However, ongoing tensions with unions and regulatory uncertainties remain a risk. Should production be disrupted, fuel scarcity could drive prices higher at petrol stations and in the transport sector, translating into increased costs for goods and services nationwide.
MURIC’s rally, therefore, was not only a show of solidarity but also a call for stronger institutional support for private energy investments, with a clear message: protecting Dangote Refinery is crucial for both economic stability and the everyday pocket of Nigerians.
