Port Harcourt Refinery Resumes Operation, Starts First Petrol Lifting Today
- As Tinubu Directs NNPCL To Promptly Reactivate Second P’Harcourt, Warri And Kaduna Refineries
The Port Harcourt Refinery has finally resumed production of petroleum products after years of shutdown and rehabilitation, with the first batch of lifting of petrol expected to commence today (Tuesday).
The rehabilitation of the refinery has been ongoing since 2021, following the $1.5 billion contract approved by the Federal Government for the purpose.
Gentechnews gathered that the first batch of trucks of petrol will be lifted from the facility on today (Tuesday) under the supervision of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, who reportedly toured the facility Monday night.
The refinery complex which comprises of two operational units and located at Alesa Eleme in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was established in 1965 and 1989 and with a combined installed capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
The older plant has a capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day, while the newer plant has 150,000 barrels per day capacity.
The refinery’s resumption is expected to further reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and reduce foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel importation.
The refinery is also expected to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), among others.
However, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to ensure prompt reactivation of second Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries.
Reacting to the successful reactivation of the main Port Harcourt Refinery, the president, in a statement issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt Refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
He stressed that these efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make the country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.
President Tinubu 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.
The president extended his heartfelt congratulations to the NNPCL on the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt Refinery, marked by the official commencement of petroleum product loading on November 26, 2024.
President Tinubu acknowledged the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all the nation’s refineries and expressed gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) for its confidence in financing this critical project.
The president further commended the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.
Highlighting the values of patience, integrity, and accountability in the rebuilding of the nation’s infrastructure, President Tinubu called upon individuals, institutions and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.
In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on shared economic prosperity for all, the president reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security and boosting export capacity for Nigeria.
