The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri has revealed that the Federal Government has disclosed that it is targeting to stop fuel importation in 2024, adding that Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are been repositioned to function optimally.
FG clarified that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations before the end of 2023, precisely in December, while Warri refinery which is also undergoing rehabilitation would started refining petroleum products by February.
It maintained that the December 2023 target for the completion of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery remained sacrosanct, expressing satisfaction with the level of work done in the facility.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri, spoke during a working visit to the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Eleme, Rivers State, yesterday, to inspect the project.
Lokpobiri, who was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of State, Gas Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, expressed happiness with the level of work done, adding the rehabilitation work which was approved for $1.5bn when completed by the end of 2023 will refine upto 60,000 barrels of crude per day.
He said the essence of the inspection was to ensure the timely rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery and completion of other refineries in the country at the scheduled dates.
