…Says FG Committed to Ending Fuel Importation
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ending petroleum
product importation soon, as efforts are being redoubled to restore the nation’s
local refining capacity.
This was made known by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil),
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work
progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt
on Friday.
The Minister, who was in the company of his counterpart, the Minister of State for
Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of
Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda, and the Group CEO, NNPC
Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said considering the level of progress recorded in the PHRC
rehabilitation project, the plant will come back on stream by December this year.
“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.
The Minister also said he was satisfied with the ongoing rehabilitation work at the
Port Harcourt refinery, noting that once all the refineries are back on stream,
Nigerians will enjoy a better supply of petroleum products, and foreign exchange
will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said bringing back
the refineries to their optimal levels is a national aspiration, and the Company
remains focused on delivering that.
“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,” Kyari stated.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said:
“We are here to go into the field. Yesterday was the era of subsidies. Today, we don’t
have subsidies. Today, people are in a desperate situation to heave a sigh of relief;
and see how to live. You all know that petrol is very vital to our economy. All hands
must be on deck to ensure that the refineries are working,” he stated.
During the visit, the two Ministers also participated in the Refineries’ Rehabilitation
Steering Committee meeting and held a meeting with the refinery’s Engineering,
Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractors.
