As December approaches, Engr. Ibrahim Onoja, the managing director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), and Mrs. Usua Ofonmbuk Edet, the acting managing director of Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), face rising expectations for full petrol production.
The federal government confirmed that the operational resumption deadline for both the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries remains this December.
Recent reports highlight government plans for the two refineries. The goal? Start operations in December, refining 160 barrels of crude oil daily.
According to a report by the Daily Post, forecasts suggest the Warri refinery will output 100 barrels daily in December. Concurrently, the Port Harcourt refinery aims for a 60 bpd contribution.
During a recent visit to the WRPC, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum, shared these insights. Accompanying him were Mele Kyari, the group CEO of NNPCL, and other top officials from the oil sector.
Speaking for the WRPC MD, construction manager Femi Fagbuaro stated that the plant would launch with 100 bpd in December or about 60% of its capacity. Thereafter, the target is optimal production.
PHRC’s MD, Engr. Onoja echoed a similar sentiment. The plan is 60 bpd in December, aiming for over 200 bpd by December 2024.
Lokpobiri stressed the importance of his visit, noting, “I’m here, so no one claims I’m merely speaking from Abuja. The refinery MDs provide daily progress updates.”
He added, “I’ll hold them accountable for their commitments. I urge optimism. Upon completing this overhaul, we’ll maximise these refineries for Nigerians’ benefit.”
He highlighted the government’s ownership of NNPCL and the refinery and emphasised a vision: reducing the country’s product imports through full refinery rehabilitation.
