The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. has fulfilled its pledge of re-streaming the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), signaling the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products into the market.
On Tuesday, trucks began loading petroleum products from the facility, including petrol, diesel and kerosene.
President Tinubu immediately expressed delight in the successful revitalization of the refinery.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the president sent heartfelt congratulations to the company on the feat.
Tinubu acknowledged the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all the refineries and expressed gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing the critical project.
The president also commended the leadership of the NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve the milestone.
With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urged NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
According to the statement, these efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately owned refineries and make Nigeria a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.
The president underscored his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.
While speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of products loading at the refinery on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari, described the commencement of the load-out activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria, signifying a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
Kyari particularly thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence to ensure energy security for the country.
Kyari 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.
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.
It has achieved over 16 million manhours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Meanwhile, operators under the auspices of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and industry experts have lauded the NNPC Ltd. for the delivery of the Port Harcourt refinery, saying the feat would give room for healthy competition.
Their commendations came few hours after the NNPC announced the new milestone, describing the delivery of the refinery as “a brilliant step that will stop the mono source of petroleum products in the country.”
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune when contacted on Tuesday, Mr. Chinedu Ukadike, IPMAN’s national public relations officer, said the coming of Port Harcourt Refinery had barricaded the mono source of petroleum products.
“This is healthy for the deregulation we have just got into,” Ukadike said.
With the coming of the NNPC’s Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries, he explained that marketers now have double sources of petroleum products.
This new development, he said, would gear the petroleum marketers for competitive bargaining.
An oil and gas expert, Henry Adigun, described the feat as “a brilliant step.”
He expressed optimism that the development would give more options to Nigerians and allow a more competitive market for products.
“As per the economy, we continue to find use for our crude domestically,” he said.
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