Gom Mirian
The Federal Government has once again reaffirmed its commitment to ending petroleum product importation in the country by resuscitating operations at the Port Harcourt refinery.
This is expected to restore local refining capacity, reduce dependency on imports and increase revenue generation.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, during an inspection tour of rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.
Speaking during the exercise, the Minister said the refinery will come back on stream by December, 2023, adding that work was ongoing to ensure it regains full capacity.
“Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year, Warri will come on stream by the end of the first quarter of next year, and Kaduna will also come on board towards the end of next year.
“If you add that to the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, and Nigerians will enjoy the full benefits of deregulation,” he stated.
Also, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said bringing back the refineries to their optimal levels is a national aspiration, and the Company remains focused on delivering that.
“We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products,” Kyari stated.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, said: “We are here to go into the field. Yesterday was the era of subsidies. Today, we don’t have subsidies. Today, people are in a desperate situation to heave a sigh of relief; and see how to live. You all know that petrol is very vital to our economy. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the refineries are working.”
