Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari has confirmed that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence oil production in August.
Mele Kyari said Kaduna and Warri refineries would be ready for production of oil by December but would not commence refining activity.
The NNPCL boss said this in an address to the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Finance led by Senator Sani Musa, on Monday.
Kyari said there has been growth in the oil sector because of actions taken by President Bola Tinubu. He assured that Nigeria would be net exporter of petroleum products when all the refineries commence production.
“Mr. Chairman and members of the Joint Committee, let me just give confirmation that NNPCL and the oil and gas industry are very critical in bringing about a turnaround in our current economic situation and we understand the importance of this. We are taking every step that is practical for us to achieve this.
“We have already seen growth in our oil and gas production because of certain actions that Mr. President personally took and also the very mere truth that we have also declared a war on production activities and this is yielding the required results
,” he said.
Mr Kyari said with Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Warri and Dangote refineries; by December, Nigeria would be net exporter of petroleum products.
“I’m aware that there are several comments in the public space around refining business and domestic production, including production that will come from the commissioned Dangote refinery. Yes, this country, as we have said, will be a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year.
“We’re very optimistic that by December, this country will be a net exporter. That means a combination of production coming from us, and also from Dangote refinery and other smaller producing companies that we know are in line to do this.
“So I can confirm to you, Mr. Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.
“Specific to NNPC refinery. We have spoken to a number of your committees, that it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December; it will get there in December—both Warri and Kaduna—but that of Port Harcourt, will commence production early in August this year,
” he told the Joint Committee of the National Assembly.
