T
he Vice President of Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, has revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suffered no fewer than 22 incidents of sabotage since its inception.
Edwin made the disclosure while clarifying reports surrounding the recent reorganisation within the company, which led to the dismissal of some workers. He stated that the restructuring exercise was purely an internal management decision and had nothing to do with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
According to him, some external forces have been deliberately working to frustrate the smooth operations of the refinery, which is one of the most strategic industrial projects in Africa. “Since we began operations, we have recorded 22 different incidents of sabotage aimed at disrupting our processes and damaging critical infrastructure,” Edwin said.
He stressed that despite these challenges, the management of Dangote Refinery remains committed to maintaining high operational standards, ensuring transparency, and protecting the company’s assets. He also noted that the refinery continues to work closely with relevant authorities to safeguard its operations and personnel.
Edwin dismissed speculations that the recent layoffs were linked to industrial disputes or union issues, emphasizing that Dangote Group respects workers’ rights and maintains cordial relations with all labour unions, including PENGASSAN.
“Our decision was strictly based on efficiency and performance. We are focused on achieving full operational capacity and delivering on our promise to the Nigerian people,” he added.
The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery, located in Lagos, is Africa’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. It is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and stabilize fuel supply across the country.
