Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, has revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery is on track to resume production by December, with a projected output of 54,000 to 60,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility on Friday, Mr. Lokpobiri conveyed his confidence in the rehabilitation process of the refinery’s first phase, stating that it is nearing completion and is expected to begin production by the end of this year.
“The purpose of this inspection is to assess the progress made on the Port Harcourt Refinery, and we are content with the advancements we’ve observed. Based on our assessment, the first phase will be operational by the close of 2023, contributing around 54,000 to 60,000 barrels per day in production,” he shared.
Mr. Lokpobiri further outlined that the Warri refinery is projected to commence production in the first quarter of the following year, contributing around 70,000 barrels per day, while the Kaduna refinery is expected to come online by the end of the same year.
Taking into account the Dangote refinery’s contribution, Mr. Lokpobiri expressed optimism that these developments would lead to a reduction in fuel importation, resulting in substantial financial savings for the nation and enhanced benefits for Nigerians through fuel deregulation.
The Minister emphasized that his team would conduct comprehensive inspections of all refineries across the country, with the overarching goal of eliminating the need for fuel imports within the next few years.
Additionally, Mr. Lokpobiri stated that the full rehabilitation of the entire Port Harcourt Refinery is anticipated to conclude by the close of 2024.
In alignment with these efforts, Kperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Gas Resources, underscored the federal government’s strategic approach to attract foreign investment within the gas sub-sector. He affirmed the government’s commitment to ending gas flaring and bolstering electricity generation in the nation.
After reviewing the briefings and observations, Mr. Ekpo expressed his optimism about Nigeria’s future prospects, highlighting that the ongoing improvements align with the government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
