The management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals has disclosed that the 650,000 barrels per day project will create jobs for at least 250,000 Nigerians when completed and fully operational next year.
Group Executive Director, Strategy and Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, told reporters at the site that the refinery has the potential to turn around Nigeria’s economy with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
He said the huge youth unemployment rate and the need to make the country self-reliant in fuel consumption were the major reasons that motivated the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, to venture into manufacturing.
The director said he was very optimistic that the refinery would be a “game-changer” for Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
According to him, Dangote Industries Limited has succeeded in substantially reducing the high rate of unemployment in the country, with the conglomerate already recruiting youths in its various agricultural schemes and its other subsidiaries. He said Dangote Industries is the highest employer of labour outside the federal government.
Edwin also assured that all things being equal, the Dangote Fertilizer plant’s products will hit the market this month.
He said Dangote Fertilizer has a well-equipped fertiliser soil testing laboratory to ensure the efficiency of the product for farmers.
He explained: “The laboratory will enable us to analyse and identify a particular soil deficiency. Applying the right fertiliser to the soil will enable it to yield maximum results. The goal of our soil testing is to provide an accurate assessment of the soil’s fertility. A proper soil test will help ensure the application of enough fertiliser to meet the requirements of the crop while taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil.”
Edwin maintained that Dangote Fertilizer would make Nigeria self-sufficient in fertilizer production while exporting to other African countries.
“Right now, farmers are forced to utilize whatever fertilizer that is available as they have no choice. But, we need to know that the fertiliser that will work in one state may not be suitable in another state, as they may not have the same soil type and composition. The same fertilizer you use for sorghum may not be the fertiliser you will need for sugar cane,” he added.
