The Port-Harcourt refinery is set to commence crude oil production today as revealed by the NNPC.
This is according to a statement by Femi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, CCCO, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd.
Mr. Soneye posted a video of the refinery with the caption “Port Harcourt Refinery Begins Production; Truck Loading Starts Today, Tuesday!”.
This boosts Nigeria’s project 2mbpd, which it seeks to achieve before the end of the year.
On Tuesday, trucks began loading petroleum products which include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel, and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, as well as other product slates.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of product loading at the Refinery on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari described the commencement of the loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
Mr. Kyari particularly thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence to ensure energy security for the country. Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to the NNPC Ltd Board of Directors and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the streaming of the refinery.
He also commended the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery is delivered despite all challenges. The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the Company to deliver on the other refineries.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed congratulated the NNPC Ltd for the milestone and assured of his agency’s continued support towards the completion of rehabilitation work at the other refineries.
He stated the PHRC rehabilitation project, is an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) project that is aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal.
