President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe and Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday canvassed support for the proposed Dangote Refinery project.
Gnassingbe and Ambode who spoke during a tour of Dangote Refinery project in Lekki, Lagos State described AlikoDangote as a dedicated businessman.
Gnassingbe described Dangote as a true son of Africa, adding that the proposed Refinery will enhance economic activities in West Africa and other part of the continent.
On his part, Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode said the projects will change the face of the state and Nigeria, once it is completed.
He said: “I understand your interest in the progress of this project Mr President. This investment is one of the biggest in Africa today and it will have a huge impact not only on the economy of all Nigerians but also of the West African region when completed”.
Ambode added: “Apart from creating jobs, this refinery will also contribute immensely to solving the fuel supply challenge in the West African region.
“We also thank Aliko Dangote himself for his confidence in the Lagos economy. This project is a strong confirmation that Lagos is a prime investment destination. We believe strongly that the future prosperity of West Africa is in collaboration between the government and the private sector,” said Ambode.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (MITI) Okechukwu Enelamah said: “What we are seeing here is a demonstration of partnership between the government and the private sector at its best… nobody goes through this site without understanding the power of the private sector to power an economy…We can all envision about what Africans should be but we know we need champions,, I think one thing everybody accept whether you admire, respect or challenge Dangote or not, is that he is indeed an African champion, he is a Nigerian champion and he will continue to be… He has a choice to invest anywhere in the world but he has chosen to invest and reinvest and reinvest in Nigeria and Africa. So, we are very interested in what you are doing and we assure you of the support of the government.”
