BREAKING: Buhari Finally Launches Nigeria’s Largest Refinery

Buhari has finally launched Nigeria’s largest Refinery.

OnyxNews Nigeria reports that the President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the setting up of modular refineries in the country will make petroleum products available in the country and stop importation.

The President spoke at the virtual inauguration of the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, as well as the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase-2 works to expand the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels/day.

President Buhari said the deployment of modular refineries was one of the four major elements of his administration’s Refinery Roadmap rolled out in 2018, also, that its implementation will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products.

The president expressed excitement that Waltersmith refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State was coming on stream within two years of the start of the Roadmap, after many years of granting licenses for the setting up of modular refineries with nothing to show for it.

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In his words: “Furthermore, there is increased momentum in the other three focus areas under the Roadmap covering the Rehabilitation of existing refineries, Co-location of new refineries, and Construction of greenfield refineries.

”The realization of the Refinery Roadmap will ultimately lead us to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products not only to our neighbouring countries but to the worldwide market.

”This modular refinery is the largest commissioned modular refinery in the country today.

”The role played by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in going into collaboration with Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company is novel in concept and superb in delivery,” he said.

President Buhari described plans to begin the expansion of the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels per day to refine crude oil and condensates as an important part of economic reforms the country is undergoing.

Stating that: ”I look forward to seeing this new phase completed within the target timeframe.”

President Buhari, therefore, directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), NNPC, as well as all relevant Government Agencies to provide Waltersmith Company all the necessary support to access crude oil and condensate feedstock for the timely delivery of the additional capacity.

In line with his next level administration’s agenda on jobs creation, the President said he was pleased to note that hundreds of direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction of the first phase of the project in addition to the various business opportunities.

He expressed hope that the construction of the second phase of the project will create bigger additional employment opportunities.

President Buhari appreciated the local community and the people of Imo State for hosting the refinery, which, he explained, will bring prosperity and economic development to the area.

The President commended the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and the management and staff of the Nigerian Content Development Board for making the public-private partnership a success.

He also commended the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Limited for their professionalism and focus in getting the project completed.

Present at the launching of the massive refinery include: Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva who cut the tape on behalf of the President at the event.

Also in attendance were the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, the Chairman of WalterSmith, Abdulrazaq Isa and the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote.