Nigerian billionaire and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has dismissed claims that the United States is opposed to the operation on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, stating that U.S President Donald Trump is, in fact, “more than happy” with the facility.
Dangote explained that the United States is not a rival to the refinery but one of its major beneficiaries, as it supplies a significant volume of crude oil to the plant.
Speaking on Sunday during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, he also said his refinery continue due to rely on crude oil imports from Ghana, and other countries due to insufficient domestic supply.
Dangote stated that Nigeria is yet to produce enough crude oil to meet its needs, forcing the country to source supplies from neighbouring African nations and the United States.
“We are not getting enough crude, so that’s why why we buy from Ghana and a few African countries. We also buy from the U.S.
“The U.S has been one of our major suppliers of crude, which is why when someone says Trump is not happy with our refinery, it is not true.
“Trump is more happy with our refinery because on average, for a year, we do not buy more than 100 million barrels from the U.S”, he said.
He also disclosed that Nigeria supplies the U.S with aviation fuel and gasoline, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the energy trade relationship between both countries.
-9News Nigeria.
