The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, says the modular refineries under construction will soon be ready, noting that local crude oil production in the country is on course.

Mr Sylva disclosed this on Tuesday, adding that the federal government had licensed many modular refineries, and some had already begun operation.

“Modula refineries, we have licensed quite a bit. I am not in a position to give you an exact figure now. But I know that a few of these refineries are under construction, and very soon, we will be commissioned,” Mr Sylva explained. “You know that last year, we commission the Waltersmith, which is functioning well. Since then, I have also laid the foundation stone for the Atlantic refinery, and there is Niger Delta own that is ongoing. One is almost ready to be commissioned in Port Harcourt, and there are quite a few. That programme is on course.”

The minister added that the WalterSmith Petrochemical Refining Company was operating effectively with 5,000 barrels per day.

“The Atlantic is not finished yet, they are very much on course to finish construction by the first quarter of next year, and there are others that are ongoing,’’ he said.

The federal government had, as of March 2021, licensed about 23 refineries in the country.