The federal government has reaffirmed its dedication to ceasing petroleum product imports by revitalizing the nation’s local refining capabilities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This affirmation was conveyed by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), during an inspection tour of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant’s rehabilitation progress in Port Harcourt….CONTINUE READING
Accompanied by Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas); Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources; and Mr.
Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., Lokpobiri revealed that based on the substantial headway achieved in the PHRC rehabilitation project, the plant is anticipated to resume operations by December this year.
Lokpobiri emphasized the government’s objective of curbing fuel importation, expressing confidence that the Port Harcourt Refinery would be operational by year-end, with Warri and Kaduna refineries following suit by the end of the first quarter of the next year and towards the end of the following year, respectively.
When coupled with the Dangote Refinery’s progress, this move is anticipated to reduce fuel imports, leading to enhanced benefits from deregulation for Nigerians.
Lokpobiri expressed satisfaction with the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt refinery and highlighted that once all refineries are fully operational, it will bolster the supply of petroleum products to Nigerians while also domesticating foreign exchange, thus contributing to an improved economy.
Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., echoed the national aspiration of restoring refineries to optimal levels, emphasizing the company’s resolute focus on achieving this objective and other endeavors to enhance the nation’s refining capacity.
During the visit, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), acknowledged the significance of petroleum to the economy and underscored the necessity for collective efforts to ensure refinery operations thrive.
The ministers took part in the Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee meeting and engaged with the refinery’s Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractors.
