Segun Showunmi, an Ogun State governorship aspirant, has called for the punishment of those responsible for relocating the multi-billion dollar Dangote Refinery from Ogun to Lagos. The refinery was initially planned to be situated in Ogun State, specifically in the Olokola Free Trade Zone during the Gbenga Daniel administration. However, when Senator Ibikunle Amosun assumed office in 2011, efforts for an agreement with Dangote fell through, causing the project to be moved to Lekki in Lagos for unknown reasons.
The refinery, which began construction in 2017, was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday generating discussions about why Ogun State lost such a massive project. While congratulating Lagos State and Dangote on the refinery’s inauguration, Showunmi expressed his concerns, saying, “I cannot but wonder what explanation Ogun State has for not housing that project that sits pretty within our Ogun Development Master Plan with Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ogun Waterside.”
He strongly recommended the enactment of a law to punish economic sabotage resulting from selfish political interests. In his opinion, such acts only serve to hold back states from making steady progress. Showunmi further expressed his appreciation that Dangote kept the refinery in Nigeria, noting that if it had been moved outside the country, it would have aggravated his displeasure beyond words.
He concluded by stating that individuals must be held responsible for their actions, and no one should cause a state to suffer negative consequences on the altar of winning an election.
