The Federal Government says the Port Harcourt refinery would resume production by December 2023 with a target of 54,000 to 60,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the assurance during an inspection of the refinery on Friday, August 25, 2023.

Lokpobiri said the rehabilitation of the first phase of the refinery had been relatively achieved and would commence production by the end of the year.

The minister said: “The essence of this inspection is to know the extent of work done on the Port Harcourt refinery, and we are satisfied with what we have seen.

“From what we have seen here, the first phase will come on stream by the end of 2023 with about 54,000 to 60,000 barrels per day production.

“Warri will start by first quarter of next year with about 70,000 barrels per day and Kaduna will come on stream towards the end of next year.

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“If we add all that to Dangote refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, start saving substantial part of our funds and Nigerians will also begin to have the benefits of full deregulation.”

He stated that his team will inspect all refineries in the country, saying the objective is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation.

Lokpobiri said the entire Port Harcourt refinery would be fully rehabilitated by the end of 2024.

Also speaking, the Minister of State, Gas Resources, Kperikpe Ekpo, said the Federal Government was very intentional in attracting foreign investors in the gas sub-sector.

Ekpo said: “Of course, the ‘Renewed hope’ agenda of the Federal Government will end gas flaring and also boost electricity in the country.

“We have received the brief today; I can say that there is hope for Nigeria.

“Gas flaring will stop and gas generation will increase so that we can have uninterrupted power supply in the country.

“I am comfortable with what we have seen; the improvements are there and the contractors are dedicated; this is in line with the president’s directive of a renewed hope for Nigerians.”

The Star