Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), has praised WalterSmith Modular Refinery for meeting energy needs in the country.
The refinery located at Ibigwe in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State produces 600 million litres of different types of products.
Lokpobiri, speaking to journalists after taking a tour of the facility with Simbi Wabote, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), expressed delight with WalterSmith.
The minister also noted that modular refineries are the shortest way to address Nigeria’s energy problems, Vanguard reports. His words: “The refineries that are state-owned are still under rehabilitation. As the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, it is my responsibility to ensure that there is sufficient supply of petroleum products pending the resumption of refining activities in the nation’s refineries.
“I take charge of the programme to supervise the rehabilitation of our state-owned refineries. That is why I have gone round all the refineries in Port Harcourt, the refinery in Warri and the refinery in Kaduna. You know the shortest way to addressing our energy problem is the modular refineries.
“That is why the executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Board, said there was the need for us to visit the WalterSmith and that is why I am here today to see things for myself. I am sure anybody that enters here will be very proud of what we are seeing here.”
He added that he is determined to ensure more modular refineries are working “I am happy to be here to see what is going on and to encourage WalterSmith; Yes it is possible we can solve our energy problems in this country. “The government will continue to support owners of Modular refineries but I want to say that it is not enough for us to give money. We need to identify those who have proven record of success. “Some people will take the money and divert it, but here we are physically seeing one that is functional and we have also see the expansion of what is going on. We will do whatever we can to support WalterSmith .”
“We have gone round and you can see that the refinery is working. We are very happy it is successful. Usually, it is not every investment that you participate in that comes out successful.” FG Moves to force oil firms to supply crude to Dangote, other refineries Legit.ng reported that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NURPC) said on Saturday, October 28, 2023, that it would take all the required steps within the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 to ensure enough and regular supply of crude oil to upcoming refineries in Nigeria.
The Commission summoned a meeting with 52 crude oil exploration and production companies to ensure the ramping up of feedstock for new refineries in Nigeria. The Commission’s Head of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, Olaide Shonola, warned in a statement that there would be consequences for undermining the process.
