The Dangote Refinery we never had

Sir: That Ogun State lost a chance to boost its Internally Generated Revenue through what would have accrued to it through a massive $16 billion investment still looks like a movie.

Why on earth will somebody reject such an opportunity, a life long opportunity that would have written his name in the sand of time; even generations yet unborn would have been able to learn about his great exploits through the study of history.

The Dangote Refinery, had it been allowed to berth in Ogun State, particularly in Ogun Waterside Local Government, would have created over 60,000 formal and informal jobs. Not only that, the local government would have experienced an economic boom. It is a pity that Ogun State had to lose that refinery to Lagos State.

But can one blame Lagos for seizing the opportunity? Who on earth would close its doors against such a huge opportunity, the first of its kind in the South Western part of the country? The Governor under whom the opportunity eluded the state is now aiming to support a governorship candidate against the incumbent governor who at that period was the chairman of the committee set up to ensure that Dangote Refinery actually berths in the state.

He was made the chairman of the committee based on his relationship with the business mogul. Losing that refinery was the biggest mistake by the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun. The people of Ogun Waterside who would have been the biggest beneficiary deserves an apology from Amosun, who should simply man up, speak the truth and let the devil be put to shame as said in local parlance.

Dangote wasn’t asking for money from the state, all he would have needed was land, human capital and a port. Ogun State lost a huge opportunity to move up the ladder in terms of Internally Generated Revenue.

The good people of Ogun State should go out in their large numbers and say no to an emperor who despite constructing roads, bridges, demolished some houses meant to pave way for new roads he couldn’t even complete; they should support a man who is determined to give life to almost dead Agro Cargo Airport which got all its approvals as far back as 2008 under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, now Senator elect for Ogun East.

Prince Dapo Abiodun’s relationship with the private sector has in the last three and half years brought into Ogun State investments that can be seen. He has shown capacity and good leadership qualities. Obasan Oluwafunso wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State.