P’Harcourt Refinery To Produce 2M Litres Of Fuel Daily – Minister

Port-Harcourt Refinery

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday said the Port-Harcourt Refinery would begin operations by producing two million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol and 2.2 million litres of diesel per day.

This was revealed by the Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, after an inspection tour of the Port-Harcourt Refinery accompanied by the leadership of organised labour, adding that the combined capacities of both plants would produce 10 million litres of PMS per day.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun.

Onyejeocha stated that the government was open to dialogue with organised labour and other stakeholders with the aim of achieving peace and harmony in the sector, while appealing to the union leaders to consider strike actions as a last option, as it sends wrong signals to investors.

“Speaking on the inspection visit to the Port-Harcourt refinery by TUC and Federal Government delegation, the minister said reports by organised labour and government established that the Port-Harcourt refinery is 80% completed.

Port-Harcourt Refinery

“She explained that the old plant would begin with 54,000 barrels per day, which would produce two million litres of PMS and 2.2 million litres of diesel per day, while the new plant which is currently going through its last phase of completion would also begin production before the end of the year. The combined capacity of the two plants, when fully on stream, would produce 10 million litres of PMS per day”, the statement read.

“During the review, the minister read each item on the memorandum of understanding among which were the payment of four out of six months on wage award, the committee of minimum wage review, payment of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federal- owned educational institutions, suspension of VAT on diesel, payment of N25,000 conditional cash transfer to 3,140,819 households, including the pensioners.

“While she said the government has made a huge financial commitment to the provision of CNG Buses and conversion Kits, she also explained that the procurement process was slowing down the launch but measures were already in place to fast-track the process.

“The minister explained that the government has commenced a series of engagements with relevant stakeholders on tax incentives, just as the leadership crises rocking NURTW and RTEAN have been resolved.