Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere has commended the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari for its commitment in promoting modular refineries in a bid to improve local refining capacity, create jobs, and ensure peace and, stability in the Niger delta region just as Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged the Federal Government to invest more in modular refineries as a way to end fuel scarcity. Alhaji Debo Ahmed, the Chairman, South-west zone of IPMAN, gave the advice in Lagos.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo only two days ago in Lagos, confirmed that 10 modular refineries were at advanced stages of development in the Niger Delta. The 10 modular refineries are located in five out of the nine states in the Niger Delta region. The states include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Imo states. Osinbajo said that two of the refineries, Amakpe Refinery (Akwa Ibom), and OPAC Refinery (Delta State), have had their mini-refinery modules already fabricated, assembled and containerized overseas and ready for shipment to Nigeria for installation.
The total proposed refining capacities of the 10 licensed refineries stands at 300,000 barrels.
Ahmed said that the modular refineries could help address any shortfall in fuel supply pending when additional refineries would be built. “It will also boost the country’s revenue generation and address frequent fuel capacity experienced during the yuletide seasons. Our expectation in 2018 is for the government to invest more on modular refineries to be able to have more petrol locally to address scarcity,’’ he said.
Ahmed said that government had performed credibility well in the downstream sector in 2017, adding that it should crown it by building more modular refineries. According to him, a modular refinery is cheaper to build and it can move from one place to another. “A modular refinery is capable of refining between 10,000 and 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day,’’he said. He also urged the government to provide incentives that would attract investors to the oil and gas sector.
NDDC boss Ekere also lauded President Buhari for the recent appointment of several indigenes of the Niger Delta into Federal boards and for his renewed commitment to address the challenges of the region as contained in his new year address to Nigerians.
