By Abubakar Yunusa
Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, says he plans to build the “biggest, deepest seaport in Nigeria”.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Dangote said he has applied to begin work at the proposed Atlantic seaport in Olokola, Ogun state.
According to the entrepreneur, the initiative would ease the export of goods — including liquefied natural gas (LPG) — and support the rapid growth of his industrial empire.
Dangote said the plan “to build the biggest, deepest port in Nigeria” advanced after he sent in the paperwork for permission last month.
“It’s not that we want to do everything by ourselves, but I think doing this will encourage other entrepreneurs to come into it,” he said.
The port marks the billionaire’s return to the site where he had previously abandoned plans to build his refinery and fertiliser complex after a fallout with local authorities.
In March, Dangote said he was back to constructing facilities in Ogun state “because of His Excellency, our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun”.
Also speaking during another interview, Devakumar Edwin, vice-president of the Dangote Group, said the group plans to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Lagos.
He said the project that will involve constructing pipelines from the Niger Delta.
“We want to do a major project to bring more gas than what Nigeria LNG is doing today,” he said.
“We know where there is a lot of gas, so run a pipeline all through and then bring it to the shore.”
On May 26, the billionaire said the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) is targeting a $7 million daily revenue from the sale of fertiliser in the next two years.
About a month later, his refinery announced that it will begin the nationwide distribution of diesel and premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, on August 15.
The company said it had acquired 4,000 new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tankers to enhance its fuel distribution capacity across the country.
On June 27, Dangote also said Africa will be self-sufficient in fertiliser supply within 40 months.
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