By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some trucks belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited have been sighted lifting premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, at the newly-renovated Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.
The facility commenced processing crude oil processing on Monday of about 90,000 barrels per day, representing 60 per cent of its installed capacity of 150,000 barrels per day.
The plant began production three years after the government approved $1.5 billion for its rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, trucks stormed the refinery to load petrol and other petroleum products in preparation for competing with the Dangote Refinery, which commenced PMS production in September 2024.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Mr Olufemi Soneye, in a statement today, said trucks began loading petroleum products which include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of product loading at the refinery today, the chief executive of the form, Mr Mele Kyari, described this as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence in ensuring energy security for the country.
Mr Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to the NNPC board and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the streaming of the refinery, commending the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery is delivered despite all challenges.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, congratulated the NNPC for the milestone and assured of his agency’s continued support towards the completion of rehabilitation work at the other refineries.
The refinery rehabilitation project is an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) project aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal.
It has achieved over 16 million manhours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).