By Abdu Labaran Malumfashi
Alhaji Sayyu Dantata was alleged to have also been among those importing petroleum from Malta for his filling stations in Nigeria. His half brother’s, (Aliko Dangote) mega single stream Refinery in Lagos was ready for production. The Dangote Refinery is said to have the capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
For this consanguineous relation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote to import what he could easily obtain at cheaper price at home, is perhaps a case of sibling rivalry.
But it was not the only high profile case of sibling rivalry in the ancient city of Kano. Not long ago, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, and son to the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and brother to His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, paid homage to the 14th and 16th Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji Sanusi II.
There is a kind of tug of war for the famous Kano throne between His Royal Highness, Alhaji Sanusi II, appointed and supported by Kano State government, and His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who is recognised and supported by the federal government. It is another case of sibling rivalry in more ways than the Sayyu/Dangote apparent face off.
But what is exactly ‘Sibling Rivalry’? It is a rivalry between two consanguineous brothers, more often from down to top, but not all the time. It could be from the senior sibling to his junior or juniors, jealous of their success in life. It is called ‘Hassada’ (Jealousy), the Arabic word coined and adopted by the Hausa.
Apart from being involved in profitable businesses with Aliko, Sayyu is himself a very successful businessman. He is the founder and owner of MRS Oil and Gas Company Limited, which has filling stations all over the country, particularly in the North.
Some people want the Dangote Refinery to fail for their self interest. But most Nigerians want the refinery to succeed, so that it may serve as an encouragement to other investors who might want to do same or other businesses in Nigeria.
Above all, most compatriots see the Dangote Refinery as the answer to the perennial shortage, where it could be occasionally found, of petrol, some of which are sometimes of poor quality, which may negatively affect the engine of the vehicle.
Allegations against the person of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his $20 billion refinery nearly made him to throw in the towel in frustration, when he offered to sell it to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which was allegedly part of those who wanted to see the billionaire out of the oil business.
It was alleged that he Dangote was a monopolist, despite the fact that there are many business people in the country doing the same businesses as him. His refinery was said to have too much sulphur content, but when laboratory analyses were conducted it was found that the imported fuel had by far more sulphur than the Dangote Refinery’s.
The imported petroleum had sulphur content at 1,800-2,000 ppm to Dangote refinery’s 87.6 ppm. Indeed, there was a time when a strong stench emanated from the imported fuel, forcing buyers to cover their nose whenever they go to the petrol stations to fill up the tanks of their vehicles.
It was still alleged that the quality of the products of the Dangote Refinery was low and therefore not up to standard, but Nigerian experts in such matters rated the products produced by the refinery as higher than those imported into the country.
Why the mad fight to see no more of the Dangote Refinery is because of some powerful local individuals and foreign countries that saw its survival as a serious threat to their selfish interest. It is very unfortunate, that we on these shores prefer to bring down, rather than shore up, others. But for some in this country to support foreign countries, whose interest is for their places to improve, and see the total collapse of our society, amounts to the highest degree of unpatriotic conduct.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said the refinery would ‘disrupt’ the European oil marketers because it would satisfy the huge local demand for petroleum products, and still have some for export to foreign countries. Both Nigerians and the foreign countries would prefer its products because of the superior quality over the imported varieties.
Recently, the Dangote Refinery complained of not getting its needed requirements if crude oil from the NNPC, which made it to lodge a complaint to the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPR). In a statement signed by the Dangote Group Chief Brand and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery claimed that for its September requirement of crude, it got only 6 cargoes when it needed 15.
Jealousy is a very deadly disease, which prevents the advancement of individuals, societies and nations. May God, in His infinite wisdom, power and mercy, cure us of it, and make us among the ‘few’ who are free of Hassada.
Malam Malumfashi wrote from Abuja.
