Managing Director, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Monday Onoja presents sample of petroleum product to the GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, during the commissioning of the PHRC Plant and Products Truck-Out Ceremony at the refinery in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.
…Tinubu wants Warri, Kaduna plants revived
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Tony John, Port Harcourt
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, lauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) for successfully revitalising the Port Harcourt refinery, which officially resumed the loading of petroleum products yesterday. He said the achievement marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to boost domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
In addition, the President has directed NNPC Ltd to accelerate the reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery, along with the Warri and Kaduna refineries, in order to strengthen Nigeria’s refining capacity.
The President emphasised that these initiatives are crucial for ensuring a steady supply of refined products, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the overall growth of the national economy.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed his heartfelt congratulations to NNPC Ltd for the significant achievement.
He stated that his administration was determined to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.
The President acknowledged the critical role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and thanked the African Export-Import Bank for its financial backing.
The President emphasised the importance of this milestone, saying, “These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.”
Tinubu also praised NNPC Ltd’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for his leadership, stating, “his dedication was instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.”
Also commenting on the feat, the NNPC Ltd’s boss, Kyari, said products being loaded include; Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, while other product slates would be dispatched as well.
The GCEO particularly thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence to ensure energy security for the country.
Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to the NNPC Ltd Board of Directors and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the streaming of the refinery. He also commended the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery is delivered despite all challenges.
The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the Company to deliver on the other refineries.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed congratulated the NNPC Ltd for the milestone and assured of his agency’s continued support towards the completion of rehabilitation work at the other refineries.
The PHRC rehabilitation project, is an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) project that is aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal. It has achieved over 16 million manhours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Source: TheSUN
