Minister of state, petroleum resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, said the Port Harcourt refinery would resume production by December with a target of 54,000 to 60,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day.

Mr Lokpbiri gave the assurance on Friday during a facility inspection of the refinery.

He said that rehabilitation of the first phase of the refinery had been relatively achieved and would commence production by the end of the year.

“The essence of this inspection is to know the extent of work done on the Port Harcourt Refinery, and we are satisfied with what we have seen.

“From what we have seen here, the first phase will come on stream by the end of 2023 with about 54,000 to 60,000 barrels per day production.

“Warri will start by first quarter of next year with about 70,000 barrels per day and Kaduna will come on stream towards the end of next year.

“If we add all that to Dangote refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, start saving substantial part of our funds and Nigerians will also begin to have the benefits of full deregulation,” he said.

According to him, his team will be inspecting all refineries in the country and the objective is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria will stop fuel importation.

He also said that the entire Port Harcourt Refinery would be fully rehabilitated by the end of 2024.

Also Kperikpe Ekpo, minister of state, gas resources, noted that the federal government was very intentional in attracting foreign investors in the gas sub-sector.

“Of course, the ‘Renewed hope’ agenda of the Federal Government will end gas flaring and also boost electricity in the country.

“We have received the brief today, I can say that there is hope for Nigeria.

“Gas flaring will stop and gas generation will increase so that we can have uninterrupted power supply in the country.

“I am comfortable with what we have seen; the improvements are there and the contractors are dedicated; this is in line with the president’s directive of a renewed hope for Nigerians,” Mr Ekpo said.

(NAN)