MURIC backs Refinery’s action on unionisation
Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL) has signed a strategic partnership with Thyssenkrupp Uhde Fertiliser Technology (UFT), a subsidiary of Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Uhde, to deploy its state-of-the-art UFT Fluid Bed Granulation Technology for four new urea granulation units in Nigeria.
According to a statement, the agreement covers the technology licence, a comprehensive Process Design Package (PDP), and the supply of key proprietary equipment, including granulators and scrubbers.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thyssenkrupp Uhde, Nadja Haakansson, who spoke on the agreement, said the collaboration highlights a shared commitment to sustainable industrial growth and global food security.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described the partnership as a major step toward achieving agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial advancement in Africa.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to producing high-quality urea fertiliser that meets international standards while reducing environmental impact,” he said.
MEANWHILE, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the National Assembly to protect Dangote Petroleum Refinery from being destabilised, warning that Nigerians cannot afford to return to the era of fuel shortages, long queues, black market and other uncertainties.
This was as the prominent Islamic human rights organisation held a solidarity walk to the Lagos State House of Assembly, expressing concern over the continued power-play within the Dangote Refinery by unions.
Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who spoke during a media briefing yesterday, accused some labour unions, particularly the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of attempting to “strangulate” the Dangote Refinery for personal interests.
He said, “Nigeria cannot afford to waste a $20 billion investment that is already performing wonders. Dangote Refinery is a money spinner. It is Nigeria’s goose that is laying the golden eggs. Yet, this is the same refinery that the unions wish to strangulate. Nigerians must not be caught napping.
“We must not allow any union or group of persons to destabilise Dangote Refinery. In particular, we should not allow the subsidy cabal to replicate what they did to Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in Dangote Refinery.”
Akintola said the refinery, which now produces up to 1.4 million barrels per day and exports to several African and European countries, had helped stabilise fuel supply in Nigeria, warning that continued interference by unions could reverse recent gains and return the country to crisis.
However, the lawmaker representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1 in Lagos State House of Assembly, Stephen Ogundipe, who received the group on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, pledged support of the House for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and reaffirmed commitment to protecting investors contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Obasa said that the Assembly acknowledged the importance of businesses like the Dangote Refinery in stabilising the nation’s economy and creating jobs, noting that the House will continue to stand by any investor bringing relief to Nigerians.
