DESPITE the ongoing spat between Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian regulators, Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited has finally performed the turning of sod ceremony, marking the commencement of construction activities in Lagos.
The turning of the sod took place at Shekungba, Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State recently.
The Executive Chairman of Midoil, Mrs Elizabeth-Omolara Akintonde, led dignitaries to the large expanse of land spanning various communities at Ikosi/Ejinrin Local Council Development Area.
Akintonde assured leaders and members of the communities that the refinery would transform their areas by bringing immediate development, creating both direct and indirect jobs.
She commended the village heads for refusing to be misled by some individuals who tried to bribe them to renege on their agreements.
Akintonde, whose 74th birthday coincided with the turning of the sod, stated that the Midoil refinery would boost Nigeria’s energy landscape with a refining capacity of 100,000 barrels per day.
“All these bushes you see today, in the next couple of months, you will see them no more,” Akintonde stated, assuring the people of her determination to see the project to reality.
One of the Directors of Midoil and Chairman of Serenecity Staff Housing Estate, Hajia Amina Abdullahi, expressed joy that the project had finally commenced after over a decade delay.
“We have faith in God that we will witness the inauguration of the refinery. We know this is a big project that will go through many processes, but with the turning of the sod today, we have taken the right step,” she stated.
A founding member of the proposed refinery, retired Justice Olusola Hunponu-Wusu, opined that the country needed more refineries to boost its refining capacity and stop fuel importation.
Hunponu-Wusu advised the country to ramp up its current low oil production, expressing confidence that feedstock would not be a setback when the Midoil refinery finally comes on board.
While performing the turning of the sod, the Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Ifedola Okupevi, prayed for the completion of the project at the right time.
This newspaper recalls that the Chairman of Midoil, on March 17, 2024, signed agreements with the representatives of Shekungba, Arogbo and Ererufu, presenting cheques to the host communities.
She explained that a large expanse of land was acquired from the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, stating that the land allocation letter was received from the Lagos State Government on April 24, 2014.
“Subsequently, on January 24, 2017, we got the licenses to establish the refinery from then Department of Petroleum Resources,” she remarked.
Akintonde said: “It has taken Midoil 10 years to secure interested investors that are willing to invest in Nigeria and our project. But to the glory of God Almighty, we now have three consortiums of investors willing to invest $5bn with us.
“The sourcing of the required funding from overseas has been the major reason for the delay.”