Port Harcourt, Aug. 25, 2023: Minister for State Petroleum Resources, Mr Heineken Lokpbiri said Port Harcourt refinery will resume production by end of the year (Dec. 2023), targets 54,000 to 60,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day.
Lokpbiri gave the assurance on Friday during a facility inspection of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
He said that rehabilitation on first phase of the refinery has been relatively achieved and will commence production by the end of the year.
“The essence of this inspection is to know the extent of work done on the Port Harcourt refinery, and we are satisfied with what we have seen.
“From what we have seen here, the first phase of Port Harcourt refinery will come on board by the end of 2023 with about 54,000 to 60,000 barrels per day production.
“Warri will start by first quarter of next year with about 70,,000 barrels per day and Kaduna will come on stream towards end of next year.
“If we add all that to Dangote refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, start saving substantial part of our funds and Nigerians will also begin to have the benefits of full deregulation,” he said.
According to him, his team will be inspecting all refineries in the country and the objective is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria will stop fuel importation.
He also that the entire Port Harcourt refinery will be fully rehabilitated by the end of next year (2024).
Also Mr kperikpe Ekpo, Minister for State Gas Resources noted that the federal government is very intentional in attracting foreign investors in the gas sub sector.
“Of course, the ‘Renewed hope’ agenda of the federal government will end gas flaring and also boost electricity in the country.
“We have received the brief today, I can say that there is hope for Nigeria.
“Gas flaring will stop and gas generation will increase so that we can have uninterrupted power supply in the country.
“I am comfortable with what we have seen, the improvements are there and the contractors are dedicated, this is in line with the president’s directive of a renewed hope for Nigerians,” Ekpo said.
