NNPC Boasts of Fulfilled Promises as Key Milestone Achieved
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has kept its promise to commence operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) by December 2023.
This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing rehabilitation of the country’s refineries, aimed at boosting domestic fuel production and reducing reliance on imported petroleum products.
The news was met with excitement and optimism across the country, with many Nigerians hailing the NNPC for its commitment to reviving the ailing refining sector.
The company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, stated during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project that 84.4% of the Area 5 Plant, a key component of the refinery, and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed as of December 15, 2023.
“In our quest to ensure that this refinery is re-streamed to continue to deliver value to Nigerians, we made a promise that we will reach a mechanical completion of Phase One of the rehabilitation project by the end of December and get the other plants running in 2024. Today, we have kept those commitments,” Kyari said.
The NNPC’s achievement was lauded by various stakeholders, including the chairman of the Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, who described the milestone as “historic.”
Akinyelure emphasized that the board is proud of the staff and management of the refinery and their dedication to seeing the project through.
“We are just starting. We want to be at the highest production level so that we will keep the prices of petroleum in the country stable to comfort our people and generate more revenue for our country,” Akinyelure noted.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, also commended the NNPC for its progress, stating that the recommencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery is another landmark achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their patience and trust in the company’s ability to deliver on this critical project.
The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted the positive impact the refinery’s revival will have on the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry.
LPG, also known as cooking gas, is a major by-product of the refinery, and its increased production is expected to ease the LPG deficit in the country and bring relief to millions of Nigerians who rely on it for cooking and heating.
The successful rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is a significant step towards NNPC’s goal of revamping all of the country’s refineries and achieving self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
The project is expected to create jobs, boost economic growth, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is being carried out in phases, with Phase One focusing on the mechanical completion of the Area 5 Plant and flare start-up.
Phase Two of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024, will involve the full rehabilitation of the refinery and the restoration of its full production capacity.
The NNPC is also working on the rehabilitation of other refineries, including the Kaduna, Warri, and Eleme refineries.
The revival of the Port Harcourt refinery is a positive development for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and serves as a testament to the NNPC’s commitment to improving the country’s energy security.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on the Nigerian economy and the lives of millions of Nigerians.
