As the December deadline to resume full petrol production draws near, the managing director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), Engr Ibrahim Onoja, and the acting managing director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), Mrs Usua Ofonmbuk Edet, are currently facing mounting pressure to deliver.
The federal government has emphasized that the December deadline for the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to resume operations remains unchanged.
It is worth noting that the government had previously announced its plan for the two plants to kick-start operations in December, with a target of locally refining 160 barrels of crude oil daily.
The projection indicates that the Warri refinery will be able to produce 100 barrels per day by December, while the Port Harcourt refinery will initially contribute 60 bpd during the same period.
The minister of state for petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Loikpobiri, disclosed these plans during his recent visit to the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
Lokpobiri was accompanied by the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, other top management officials, and the managing directors of the strategic business units of the oil conglomerate.
Meeting the Targets
Speaking on behalf of the managing director of WRPC, the construction manager, Femi Fagbuaro, confirmed that the plant will commence operations in December with 100 bpd, representing approximately 60 percent of its installed capacity. It will then progress towards reaching its optimal production capacity.
Engr. Onoja, the managing director of PHRC, also stated that the plant will begin operations in December with 60 bpd and is projected to exceed 200 bpd by December 2024.
Government’s Commitment
Lokpobiri emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the timely rehabilitation of these refineries, stating, “That is why I have come, so that nobody will say I am in Abuja and making statements there; it is deliberate as I have called the MDs of the different refineries, who are there to give us daily reports about the progress made.
“You heard me when I said I will hold them accountable for the dates they have given to Nigerians. For now, I want Nigerians to be optimistic that if this rehabilitation is completed, we will put them to the best use for the benefit of Nigerians.
“The government owns NNPCL and the refinery, which is essential to the government. I want to see how this place can be fully rehabilitated so we can stop or reduce the quantity of products imported into the country.”
With the pressure on, it remains to be seen whether the December deadline will be met and if these refineries will indeed contribute significantly to Nigeria’s fuel production capacity.
