Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Azikel Refinery in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, describing it as a major project that will support industrial development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Jonathan made the remarks after visiting and inspecting the refinery on Tuesday.
“I was pleased to visit the Azikel Refinery in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and to see first-hand the progress being made on this important project,” he said.
He commended the “scale, vision and strategic importance” of the project, describing Azikel Refinery as “a hub of the new industrialization of the Niger Delta and the South-South region of Nigeria.”
Jonathan said the refinery was designed to produce a full range of refined petroleum products, including petrol.
He noted that the project would contribute to Nigeria’s efforts to increase domestic refining capacity, improve energy security, promote industrial development and diversify the economy.
The former President also commended the President of Azikel Group, Dr Eruani Azibapu CFR, for his “vision, resilience and substantial investment” in developing the refinery.
He said private-sector projects such as the Azikel Refinery and Dangote Refinery were “important steps towards greater local content, self-reliance and energy security for Nigeria.”
According to Jonathan, investments of this scale showed the potential of the Niger Delta to move beyond its traditional role as a source of crude oil.
“Investments of this magnitude demonstrate the enormous potential of the Niger Delta to evolve beyond its traditional role as a source of crude oil into a major centre for value addition, refining, manufacturing, employment creation and industrial development,” he said.
Jonathan also acknowledged the contributions of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) towards the development of the refinery.
He specifically appreciated AFC President Samaila Zubairu, Afreximbank President George Elombi and the boards of both institutions for their financial and institutional support.
Jonathan said the Azikel Group had remained committed to building industrial infrastructure in the Niger Delta, adding value to Nigeria’s natural resources, creating jobs and contributing to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa.
