The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for the Port Harcourt Refining Company is already on site.

Mustapha Yakubu, Chief Operating Officer, Refineries & Petrochemicals of the NNPC, told journalists in Abuja on Monday.

“As you know, we have signed the EPC for the Port Harcourt refineries, and we have also had a technical starting meeting which signalled the beginning of the project.

“As we speak, the EPC contractor is on site, mobilised fully, and working with our project management group. They (officials) have commenced all the activities,” Mr Yakubu explained.

The NNPC top officer added that “main activities” would begin soon on the site.

He said, “I am told that they have fully set up their site offices and have mobilised some of their staff members to Port Harcourt refineries.

“So, work has started, and by now, they should have started the engineering work and soon will proceed to the main activities.’’

Mr Yakubu also pointed out that the NNPC was working hard to get the Warri and Kaduna refineries on board, noting that the NNPC has completed the evaluation process, adding that more work and processes are ongoing to get them ready for rehabilitation.

“We are confident that we will get them done well,’’ he said.

The NNPC, on April 6, signed the EPC contract with Maire Tecnimont SPA, an Italian company, for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC).

The inaugural meeting on the signalling of the project’s take-off took place at the Port Harcourt refinery on May 6.

(NAN)