FG: Port Harcourt Refinery to Begin Operations in December, Warri by Q1, 2024

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The federal government yesterday reiterated its commitment to ending petroleum products importation in the country, noting that by December this year, the Port Harcourt refinery will come on stream.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) plant, in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, explained that efforts were being redoubled to restore the nation’s local refining capacity.

A statement in Abuja, by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Garba Muhammad, said the minister was in the company of his counterpart, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.

Others who were also on the trip included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Gabriel Aduda, and the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari.

According to Lokpobiri, considering the level of progress already recorded at the PHRC rehabilitation project, the plant will come back on stream by the end of this year.

“Our objective for 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 assured.

The minister further said that he was satisfied with the ongoing rehabilitation work at the refinery, noting that once all the refineries are back on stream, Nigerians will enjoy better supply of petroleum products, and foreign exchange will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.

Earlier in his remarks, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Kyari, said bringing back the refineries to their optimal levels was a national aspiration, and that the company remained focused on delivering on it.

“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.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekpo said that given the critical nature of petroleum products, it was important to ensure the plants begin to function soonest.

 “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,” he stated.

The statement added that during the visit, the two ministers also participated in the Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee (RRSC) meeting and held talks with the refinery’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors.