Victor Ezeja
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery has finally begun production of refined petroleum products.
A video shared on social media showed trucks driving into the refinery ‘s gantry apparently to load petroleum products.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA statement signed by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, said trucks began loading petroleum products which include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK), on Tuesday.
It added that other products will be dispatched as well.
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NNPCL Group CEO, Mr. Mele Kyari, who spoke at a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of products loading at the Port Harcourt Refinery on Tuesday, said the commencement of the Petroleum refining and supply from the facility, signifies the achievement of another threshold in Nigeria’s journey to energy independence and economic growth.
The NNPCL GCEO who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support towards the refinery rehabilitation project, also expressed deep appreciation to the company’s Board of Directors and the entire staff for their commitment that led to refinery resuming operation.
READ ALSO: NNPC Admits Challenges Delaying Port Harcourt Refinery Takeoff, Promises Completion Soon
In his remarks, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, congratulated the NNPCL for the milestone and assured of his agency’s continued support towards the completion of rehabilitation work at the other refineries.
The coming on stream of the 60,000 barrels per day refinery comes almost one year after the initial resumption date set last year.
The NNPCL recently admitted that there were delays in the commencement of crude oil processing at the refinery, adding that it was due to unforeseen technical challenges.
Prime Business Africa recalls that in 2021 under President Mohammadu Buhari administration, Nigerian Senate approved $1.5 billion in 2021 for the Port Harcourt Refinery’s rehabilitation.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
