August 14, 2024
Despite numerous missed deadlines and persistent delays, Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of Petroleum Resources (oil) has announced that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is nearing its final phase.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has again failed to commence operations after about six postponements.
Despite numerous missed deadlines and persistent delays, Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of Petroleum Resources (oil) has announced that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is nearing its final phase.
The refinery was originally scheduled for completion in 2019.
The refurbishment and upgrade of the Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, have faced significant setbacks over the years.
Political wrangling, funding challenges and technical difficulties have plagued the project, which is seen as crucial for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic stability.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had in July reaffirmed its preparedness to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery in early August.
This was revealed by the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, while addressing an emergency session at the National Assembly joint committee on finance.
Kyari explained that the Port Harcourt refinery would kick off production by early August this year, while that of Kaduna would commence by December 2024.
Kyari, who had earlier announced two weeks from March 2024 as the kick-off date for production from the Port Harcourt refinery, maintained that “he was not lying” as he reaffirmed the new August date.
However, promises made to Nigerians by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC about the refinery have continued to witness multiple failures.
As August nears midpoint, the refinery has yet to commence operations, creating concerns that this might be another failed promise from NNPC.
The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, on Tuesday told PUNCH that the refinery was on course, even when the early August promise had expired.
“We are on course,” Soneye, said.
According to the report, Soneye did not reply to further questions, asking if he meant the refinery would still operate this month.
Despite numerous missed deadlines and persistent delays, Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of Petroleum Resources (oil) has announced that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is nearing its final phase.
The refinery was originally scheduled for completion in 2019.
The refurbishment and upgrade of the Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, have faced significant setbacks over the years.
Political wrangling, funding challenges and technical difficulties have plagued the project, which is seen as crucial for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic stability.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had in July reaffirmed its preparedness to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery in early August.
This was revealed by the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, while addressing an emergency session at the National Assembly joint committee on finance.
Kyari explained that the Port Harcourt refinery would kick off production by early August this year, while that of Kaduna would commence by December 2024.
Kyari, who had earlier announced two weeks from March 2024 as the kick-off date for production from the Port Harcourt refinery, maintained that “he was not lying” as he reaffirmed the new August date.
However, promises made to Nigerians by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC about the refinery have continued to witness multiple failures.
As August nears midpoint, the refinery has yet to commence operations, creating concerns that this might be another failed promise from NNPC.
The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, on Tuesday told PUNCH that the refinery was on course, even when the early August promise had expired.
“We are on course,” Soneye, said.
According to the report, Soneye did not reply to further questions, asking if he meant the refinery would still operate this month.