On Thursday, the federal government announced the mechanical completion and flare start of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited.

Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (oil), disclosed this on Thursday in Port Harcourt during a media tour of the refinery, which rehabilitation commenced in 2021.

On the tour were the minister of state petroleum resources (gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, NNPC board chairman Pius Akinyelure, NNPC Group chief executive officer Mele Kyari and other dignitaries.

The PHRC managing director, Ibrahim Onoja, was also on the tour.

“Just to announce to Nigerians the fulfilment of our pledge to bring on stream phase one of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the end of 2023 and the subsequent streaming of phase two in 2024.

“We happily announce the mechanical completion and the flare start-off on December 20, 2023. This heralds the commencement of the production of petroleum products after the Christmas break,” Mr Lokpobiri said.

The minister thanked Nigerians for their patience and trust in the NNPC to deliver on its promise and the mandate of the refinery’s rehabilitation.

According to him, it is another landmark of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Mr Akinyelure expressed satisfaction over the new development and said Mr Tinubu promised that the refinery would begin operation in 2023.

The NNPC board chairman, who recalled that the refinery had undergone several rehabilitation, said that its commencement of operations would keep fuel costs stable.

The PHRC comprised two refining units, with the old plant having a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and the new plant 150,000 bpd, both summing up to 210,000 bpd.

The refinery was shut down in March 2019 for the first phase of repair works after the government secured the services of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont to handle the scope of the refinery complex, with oil major Eni appointed as technical adviser.

In 2021, NNPC said repairs had started after the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5 billion for the project.

Over the years, the refinery performed below optimal levels, which resulted in the importation of petroleum products for domestic use for many years to cover the gap in the refinery’s output. 

(NAN)