The Federal Government has announced that the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company in Rivers State has commenced operations, marking a significant milestone in the revitalization of Nigeria’s refining capacity.
According to the government, the facility began operations on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, after the successful completion of the first phase of work at the plant.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, led members of the Refinery Steering Committee to inspect the facility and praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerians for achieving this feat.
He further revealed that refined petroleum products would start flowing from the refinery after the Christmas break.
The government had earlier stated its commitment to reviving the refinery and had repeatedly assured that it would commence operations before the end of 2023.
Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri have been inactive for years, despite substantial investments by the Federal Government to overhaul the facilities.
“The meeting today coincides with the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery,” Lokpobiri announced during the refinery inspection.
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, acknowledged the efforts of the company’s employees, who worked tirelessly for over 9.6 million man-hours to restore the refinery’s operations.
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