• Inaugurates CDU at $1bn Azikel refinery
From Femi Folaranm, Yenagoa
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, advocated an increase in the 13 percent derivation to the oil-producing states in the country.
Obasanjo said the present benchmark is a starting point that can be negotiated upwards.
He spoke at a ceremony marking the inauguration of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the Azikel Refinery at Obunagha in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The $1 billion refinery project, which is owned by Azikel Petroleum under the Azikel Group, is expected to produce 2.5 million litres of fuel and 2 million litres of diesel daily, among other petroleum products.
Obasanjo lauded the Azikel Group president, Dr Azibapu Eruani, for initiating the refinery project and urged him to ensure its completion within the next 12 months.
He expressed appreciation to the refinery’s technical and engineering team as well as the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Afrexim Bank for their support to the project and advocated more support to ensure its completion.
Obasanjo also lauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for supporting the project, saying whenever Eruani spoke to him about it, he always mentioned the governor’s contribution.
He further stated that the governor had put into proper use funds accruable to Bayelsa, as evident in the numerous projects all over the state.
He said: “I have told Dr Eruani that I will officially be 90 years old by next March. It means I will take the boarding pass soon. So, he has to make sure the project is completed before I exit.
“Governor, I want to thank you most sincerely. Every time Dr Eruani has spoken to me about this project, he has mentioned the critical role you have been playing and that is the way to go.
“You are right that the states and oil producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen percent is the beginning. You can continue to talk. The most important thing is that even the little you have received, you have used it well.
“I want to appreciate those who have given the technical and engineering support for this project. When I came here eight years ago, there was nothing like this, but now it has become a different thing.
“I also thank those two financial institutions, African Finance Corporation and the AfreximBank. My challenge to you, Dr Eruani, is to ensure that the refinery is completed within the next 12 months. With this done, you can even double the capacity.”
Also speaking, Dr Eruani stated that the refinery would kickstart Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region’s industrialisation, recalling how Obasanjo laid the foundation for the refinery eight years ago and expressed delight over his presence for the installation of the CDU, which he described as the beginning of the completion of the refinery.
Eruani said the refinery was conceived to ensure that Niger Delta becomes an active player in the oil industry, saying it is the second largest full-scale refinery in the country.
He hailed President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous refineries, saying they stand in alignment with the vision of the Federal Government to make petroleum products available and affordable to the people.
He also expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, as well as the AFC and the AfreximBank for their invaluable support.
In his remarks, Governor Diri said the refinery justified the years of agitation by the region against the injustice in the oil industry.
He noted that as producers of crude oil, the people of the region deserved to be key players in the industry.