The federal government has said that the December deadline for Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to resume operations remains unchanged.
The two plants would kick-start operations in December by locally refining 160 barrels of crude oil per day.
The Warri refinery would produce 100bpd by December, the Port Harcourt refinery would make an initial contribution of 60bpd during the same period.
These were disclosed when the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Loikpobiri, led top officials of the ministry and those of NNPCL to Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
The Managing Director of Port
Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Engr. Ibrahim Onoja and the acting Managing Director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Mrs Usua Ofonmbuk Edet have been under pressure to meet the December deadline set by the federal government for the refineries to resume full production.
The Minister was accompanied by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, other top management officials and managing directors of the strategic business units of the oil conglomerate.
According to the Construction Manager, Femi Fagbuaro, who spoke for the MD of WRPC, the plant would start with 100bpd, which represents about 60 per cent of its installed capacity in December, and progress to hit optimal production capacity afterwards.
On his part, the MD of PHRC, Engr Onoja, said that the plant would commence operations with 60bpd by December and ultimately hit over 200bpd in December 2024.
The Minister, in his address, said ”That is why I have come so that nobody will say I am in Abuja and making statements there. It is deliberate as I have called the MDs of the different refineries, who are there to be giving us daily reports about the progress made. You heard me when I said I am going to hold them accountable for the dates they have given to Nigerians.
“For now, I want Nigerians to be optimistic that if this rehabilitation is completed, we will put them to the best use for the benefit of Nigerians.
“Government owns NNPCL and the government owns the refinery, and it is important to the government.
“I want to see how this place can be fully rehabilitated so we can stop or reduce the quantity of products imported into the country,” Senator Heineken Loikpobiri.
