By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the federal government has pledged to restore operations at Port Harcourt Refinery by December 2023.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri disclosed this during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year, Warri will come on stream by the end of the first quarter of next year, and Kaduna will also come on board towards the end of next year. If you add that to the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, and Nigerians will enjoy the full benefits of deregulation,” the Minister assured.
Lokpobiri, who assured Nigerians of an improved supply of petroleum products also said that foreign exchange will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.
On his part, the Group CEO, of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, pledged the NNPC’s commitment to helping to revamp Nigeria’s refineries.
“We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products,” he stated.
