How NNPC intensifies efforts at ending fuel importation ─Minister

*Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, while on a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery says the Federal Government is interested in the prompt delivery of the project slated to commence partial operations Q1 2023, to achieve energy security for Nigerian consumers

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has embarked on a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery Complex (PHRC), in Rivers State, to ascertain the level of ongoing rehabilitation of the plant.

ConsumerConnect gathered H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, and members of Board of Directors of the NNPC Limited, who were also on the tour of the oil-refining facility expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the refinery site in the state.

Oli and gas refinery

Chief Sylva, elated at the level of progress recorded on the refinery rehabilitation project, said he was particularly impressed with the high sense of time management exhibited by the project team, agency report said.

The Minister also noted that the Federal Government is especially interested in the prompt delivery of the project to achieve energy security for Nigerian consumers.

Sen. Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, Chairman of the NNPC Board, speaking on behalf of the Board members, also stressed that the rehabilitation is aimed at boosting in-country refining capacity and cost reduction in the downstream sector of the Nigerian economy.

Chuba-Okadigbo said that the rehabilitation as well indicated the national oil company’s intention to exit from petroleum products importation and associated challenges of foreign exchange issues, adding that she was impressed by the quality of work done so far.

Malam Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) of of NNPC Limited, explained that the project was uniquely designed with efficiency and sustainable maintenance culture in mind to enable the refinery to generate funds.

Kyari assured Nigerians that the whole rehabilitation process was well thought-out and would enable the company to introduce a new business model for the operation of the refinery, report stated.

Earlier in his technical report to the visiting team, Mr. Ahmed Dikko, Managing Director of the PHRC, stated that the company was determined to deliver on the mandate by all means.

The PHRC Chief as well acknowledged the support of the NNPC leadership, its Board, the National Assembly (NASS), and other stakeholders towards achieving the current milestones.

Dikko, therefore, emphasised that the progress made so far could not have been possible without their cooperation and timely approvals.

Mr Davide Broggini, Project Manager, who spoke on behalf of the contractor handling the rehabilitation, Tecnimont SpA, said they would deliver the project in record time.

The visit also involved the tour of Areas one, two and three of the refinery that housed some major plants including, crude distillation and vacuum units.

Other plants visited during the tour were the naphtha hydro-treating unit, catalytic reform and kero hydro-treating units, fluid catalytic cracking and gas unit, and gas treatment and merox units.

It is expected that the PHRC, which comprises the old and new refineries with a combined refining capacity of 210,000bpsd, would commence partial operations from the first quarter of 2023 by processing 60,000 barrels per stream day into the market.

The refinery would commence full operations on completion of the rehabilitation project scheduled for the last quarter of 2024, according to report.

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