The Port Harcourt Refinery begins operations after extensive upgrades, promising to supply 200 trucks of fuel daily and boost Nigeria’s economy.
The Port Harcourt Refinery Company has resumed operations after seven postponements, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) unveiled the refurbished facility on Tuesday, announcing its release of over one million litres of refined products.
Also read: Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price to N970/Litre, marks appreciation for Nigerians
The revamped refinery, located in Alesa Eleme, Rivers State, now operates at 70% of its 60,000-barrel-per-day installed capacity, following an upgrade with modern equipment.
NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, revealed that the larger refinery within the complex, with a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, is still under rehabilitation.
Similarly, the Warri and Kaduna refineries are undergoing repairs, with no official timeline for completion.
“We will deliver all the other projects,” Kyari stated, noting that President Bola Tinubu had instructed him not to commit to deadlines due to prior delays.
The newly reopened Port Harcourt Refinery is set to release 200 trucks of petrol daily, significantly easing fuel supply challenges nationwide.
NNPCL emphasised that while the plant incorporates global blending standards, it is producing diesel, kerosene, and petrol (blended from naphtha) to meet Nigeria’s energy demands.
Diesel production leads with a daily output of 1.5 million litres, followed by kerosene at 900,000 litres and petrol at 1.4 million litres. Low-pour fuel oil contributes another 2.1 million litres.
Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), expressed optimism about the refinery’s contribution to Nigeria’s energy security.
“With the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries operating, we will see fuel availability and a reduction in prices due to healthy competition,” he noted.
The facility’s reopening has been hailed as a “dream come true” by petroleum marketers.
Joseph Obele, Publicity Secretary of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), stated that marketers are eager to lift fuel directly from the refinery, which will ease congestion at other distribution hubs.
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), lauded the move as the beginning of a new era of deregulation.
“This competition removes monopolies, allowing marketers to choose where to source products,” he said.
Matrix Energy, one of the financiers for the refinery project, echoed these sentiments. Abdulkabir Aliu, CEO of Matrix Energy, described the rehabilitation as a testament to patriotism, stating, “We believe in this country, which is why we put our money down.”
President Bola Tinubu congratulated NNPCL on the refinery’s revitalisation, praising former President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries.
Tinubu also urged NNPCL to fast-track the completion of other facilities, aiming to transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient energy producer and exporter.
“The successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery is a step toward eradicating the perception of Nigeria as an oil-producing nation that cannot refine its resources,” Tinubu stated.
As operations continue, the Port Harcourt Refinery is expected to play a pivotal role in stabilising fuel supply, reducing import dependency, and promoting economic growth.
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