Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ibrahim Onoja, has provided insights into the progress of the refinery project, asserting that it is currently at an advanced stage, with over 75% completion. This revelation comes amidst concerns about meeting the scheduled deadline for completion in December.
Onoja highlighted significant transformations in the refinery, emphasizing that essential components have been replaced, and the workforce is operating around the clock in day and night shifts. The report from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) confirms that 98% of the procurement has been successfully delivered.
The extensive overhaul includes an upgrade of the instrumentation and control unit, with the rotating equipment such as pumps and compressors already upgraded and in place. The electrical systems, comprising substations, transformers, switchgear, cables, and panels, have been entirely renewed, according to the NNPC report.
Addressing concerns about meeting the December deadline, Onoja assured that the refinery repairs have been ongoing since April 2021, with a dedicated workforce of 3000 individuals contributing 8.3 million person-hours, remarkably achieving zero lost time to injuries.
Truth Live News gathered that the Managing Director expressed confidence in meeting the deadline set by President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri. Operations are anticipated to commence this month, with the production of various petroleum products, including petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, low and high-pour fuel oil, and diesel.
Mele Kyari, the NNPC Managing Director, echoed this confidence, affirming that the Port Harcourt refinery will indeed be operational by December 2023. He further stated that the Warri and Kaduna refineries are expected to commence operations in 2024.
The $1.5 billion upgrade, undertaken by Italy’s Tecnimont, has been a crucial component in revitalizing the Port Harcourt refinery. Kyari’s recent assurance to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, adds credibility to the project’s trajectory.
As the Port Harcourt Refinery undergoes its transformative journey, nearing the zenith of completion, crucial upgrades stand as formidable pillars ensuring its seamless readiness for full-scale operations.
The unwavering dedication of the workforce, tirelessly contributing to the project’s success, combined with the sweeping and meticulous overhaul, fosters a robust sense of confidence in meeting the imminent December deadline. This impending accomplishment, undoubtedly a pivotal milestone, resonates deeply within Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
However, a shadow of doubt persists in the minds of the masses, who bear the brunt of the subsidy removal. As they cautiously observe the refinery’s progress, there lingers a collective hope that this promising transformation is not merely a mirage, reminiscent of past disappointments.
The skepticism among the public adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, emphasizing the need for transparent communication and tangible results to assuage concerns and solidify the refinery’s positive impact on the nation’s energy landscape.