Femi Falana is bugged about the adverse consequences of the Dangote Refinery spat, saying the saga conveys a hostile signal to investors about Nigeria.
“Well, I’ve enjoyed the inter-class feud or what you might call a dog-eat-dog affair. But it’s at the expense of the country and we cannot continue like this,” Falana said on a televised show.
“The government cannot go around the world asking for foreign investment only to be accused of destroying local investment. It is very dangerous for the country.”
Nigerian administrative authorities had blamed Dangote Refinery of dolling out sub-standard oil-based products, an allegation the company has discredited.
Chairman of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote had additionally shelved plans for investment in the steel sector attributable to allegations of monopoly against him.
In any case, Falana has thrown out the monopoly allegations, describing it as childish.
“It is so embarrassing that we are telling the whole world that the government of Nigeria is incapable of managing its affairs. That one person is monopolizing trade in our country,” he said.
“What is the purpose of the government? It is to checkmate any monopolistic control of any business in Nigeria. But what do you call a monopoly?
“If you have allowed your own refineries to be destroyed, what happens? Somebody now decides to have a refinery, that’s a monopoly. There is nothing you can do about it.”
“You must now stop this childish, very puerile argument that someone wants a monopoly,” he said, calling on the government to work and fix the country’s refineries.
“It is not the business of the government? That’s why you have the Federal Consumer Protection Commission to deal with anybody who wants to maintain a monopoly in business in the country. The government must go back to the drawing table.”
Falana requested that the government to work with Dangote Refinery and back its operations.
“If a factory is likely to employ 500,000 people, young people, the government must try and embrace that company and see what can be done,” he said.
