The long-awaited commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Limited marks a significant milestone for the National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
With a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per stream day, the refinery has finally begun its oil refining processes, as evidenced by the visible flare observed recently.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, expressed commendation for the NNPCL’s adherence to its promise of meeting the December deadline for the refinery’s operations.
He applauded the GCEO, management, and the Federal Government for this achievement. In his statement, Sani also voiced hope for the reactivation of the inactive Kaduna refinery, which has remained dormant for over a decade.
This development follows months of anticipation since the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced in August that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations by December 2023.
The primary objective behind this initiative, as emphasized by the Minister, is to bolster domestic refining capacity, reducing the country’s dependency on fuel imports.
The visible activation of the refinery’s operations aligns with the government’s strategic efforts to enhance self-sufficiency in fuel production and diminish reliance on foreign sources.
This achievement stands as a testament to the concerted endeavors of the NNPCL and signifies a step forward in Nigeria’s quest for energy independence.
