Although, the Dangote refineries offers the prospect of boosting the economic fortune of the country and reduing Nigeria’s dependence on importation of fuel. But for most Nigerian youths, what is more important is the job prospect it offers.
Recently, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Dangote refinery, a huge project under construction in Lekki Lagos. The focus of the vice president is not only the the economic benefits the project would bring to Nigeria in terms of naira and dollars, but it’s prospect of generating employment and giving jobs to Nigerians.
It is an obvious fact that huge unemployment of millions of Nigerian youths is the bane of the nation at present, and its development. The importance of any such a project would only be measured by its ability to create jobs and employ Nigerians.
Along this expectation, the Vice President said the Dangote refinery is in the right direction. The refinery, is designed to generate over 100,000 indirect jobs and about 3,000 direct jobs for Nigerians. Besides, it’s employment and skill enhancement prospect for Nigerians is huge.
Doing a critical analysis of the employment generation prospect and economic benefit of the huge projects, the Group Executive Director, Dangote Group, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, told Osinbajo, that the refineries would generate over 100,000 indirect jobs and about 3, 000 direct jobs both at the project stage and when the refinery is fully in operation.
Mr. Edwin stated that through its retails outlets, the refinery will create 100,000 indirect jobs. He explained that during the project stage it will provide 1,500 direct employees, while it will generate 1, 200 employment at the operating stage.
Besides, he explained that the refinery will generate 70,000 indirect jobs at project stage, while at operating stage it will provide 138,000 jobs. Already, he told the Vice President that 60,000 contractors were on site at the project stage and 1,000 is expected to be on site at the operating state. Service providers at project stage, according to Edwin is 10,000, while at operating stage, the service providers could reduce to 2,000..
The Group Executive Director said the project would also provides 135,000 retail outlets, 26,716 Filling stations and 129 Depots in Nigeria, while the 2,600 trucks for transport will create additional jobs..
Another invaluable area of interest the project will enhance is in the area of skill development and capacity building for Nigerian. Already Mr. Edwin said training of first batch of Nigerian Engineers has started in Delhi India.
He said, “we are sending all engineers abroad in batches of 50. They will engage in classroom training for one month, and on the job training of one year. They will be working with real time experts in the industry everyday.”
He also spoke on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities and the benefits to Communities, adding that Mobile Clinics will be provided in collaboration with local government for free consultation and Diagnosis, provision of drugs for aliments like malaria, fever etc.
Part of the CSR according to him is construction of Schools, Hospitals / Community Health Centres; access to micro credit system and merit scholarships. Health Program such as Eye treatment & health awareness campaign will be provided for communities
Mr. Edwin said Educational Development Program will be provided, while there will be Institutionalize scholarships for meritorious candidates. Dangote Group will also enhance infrastructure in host community primary schools, and engage in construction of computer training centre for indigenous youth. It will also provide Youth Empowerment Program, that will include promotion of vocational training and establishment of computer training centres, as well as development and training of youth entrepreneurs.
Why is Dangote refinery very important to Nigeria? Mr. Edwin, highlighted it’s invaluable to the economic development of the country at this crucial tim in its executive summary. He pointed out that the 650,000 BPD Refinery is being built by Dangote today in a country where 99% of demand of Gasoline are met by imports and 5% Capacity utilization only by NNPC Refineries in 2015
He stated that $12 billion Investment was estimated by Dangote and it will guarantee over $7.5 Billion per Annum Forex Savings from import Substitution and over $5.5 billion per Annum Forex Earnings from Exports.
It will also create market for $11 billion per Annum of Nigerian Crude, sell products worth $11 billion per Annum in Nigeria, while it will provide local community development & Healthcare. And most importantly, the Group Executive Director said the project will provide huge employment and skill enhancement for Nigerians.
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