By Suoyo Ekubo
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has stated that the $1.5 billion rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery will commence operation by December 2023.
He gave the assurance during a facility inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He also reiterated that the Warri refinery will come on stream by the end of the first quarter of next year while Kaduna will also come on board by the end of 2024 adding,”If you add that to the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, and Nigerians will enjoy the full benefits of deregulation.”
While expressing satisfaction over the progress of work at the Port Harcourt refinery, he noted that once all the refineries are back on stream, Nigerians will not only enjoy better supply of petroleum products, but the foreign exchange will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.