Nigeria’s Minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has announced that the Kaduna refinery will begin operation by the end of 2024.
Lokpobiri in a statement shared by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, made the timeframe assertion during an assessment of the progress of work on the ongoing quick-fix project on the Kaduna refinery on Saturday.
Lokpobiri together with Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer of NNPC and other top executive directors, had while inspecting the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited (KRPC), said the timeframe was given due to the “significant level of progress” he witnessed on the tour.
Lokpobiri while assuring that the Kaduna refinery is back on steam, said federal government would continue its support, noting that key players involved in the refinery’s rehabilitation process would be held accountable to ensure the timely delivery of the project.
According to the Minister, there is an urgent need to get the refinery back on stream for the nation’s economic prosperity and energy security — which are both paths to sustainable development.
NNPC chief, Mele Kyari also speaking, assured that the timeframe for the fuel plant to begin operation will be met as all hands are on deck.
He assured that the equipment needed for the quick-fix activities is already in place, adding that the repair would ensure 60,000 barrels per day output at the refinery.
“We are very confident that we will get the appropriate financing to get to the end of it, and ultimately, we will start to deliver value to Nigerians again,” he said.
“We plan the quick fix for 60,000 barrels per day so that we can start making money from this plant and we can continue the other part of the refinery to bring it up to its full-fledged capacity.
“This will also tally with the completion of the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) on the pipeline.”
