The Federal Government has revealed plans for the Port-Harcourt refinery to commence operations, producing two million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily, alongside 2.2 million litres of diesel.
This announcement follows after an inspection tour of the facility, conducted jointly with organized labor leadership, where it was disclosed that the refinery is currently 80% completed.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, shared insights into the refinery’s operational capacity. She stated that the existing plant will initiate operations with 54,000 barrels per day, while the new plant, undergoing final phases of completion, will also commence production before the year’s end. Once both plants are fully operational, they will collectively yield a daily production capacity of 10 million litres of PMS.
The visit to the Port-Harcourt refinery was part of the 16-point agreement reached between the government and organized labor last year, highlighting the government’s commitment to dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders to foster industrial peace and prioritize workers’ welfare.
Addressing concerns regarding potential strikes, Minister Onyejeocha urged union leaders to consider strike actions as a last resort, emphasizing the adverse impact on investor confidence. She reiterated the government’s dedication to fulfilling agreements, as evidenced by progress made on various fronts, including wage payments, subsidy distributions, and engagements with state governments and the private sector.
The leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) commended the government’s progress in implementing agreement terms but emphasized the need for full fulfillment.
Despite acknowledging a 50% implementation rate, they encouraged further efforts to address outstanding issues. Deputy President of TUC, Kayode Alakija, urged the minister to provide empirical data to support government decisions, fostering transparency and accountability.
