The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed plans to unveil the first modular refinery in the country in the first week of November .
The refinery , owned by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, in Ogbele , Rivers State , is expected to refine 10 , 000 barrel of crude oil daily .
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta , Mr Edobor Iyamu , stated this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State , during the opening session of a media workshop on ‘ Agenda for the Niger Delta New Vision’ .
The workshop , which was organised by the Niger Delta New Vision in the Office of the Vice- President , had the theme: ‘ Partnership for regional development and nation building ’ .
According to Iyamu , the modular refinery is an upgrade from 1 , 000 bpd capacity to 10 , 000 bpd.
He also stated that prior to the unveiling of the upgraded refinery in Rivers State in November , a ground -breaking ceremony would be performed by the Presidency for the construction of another 5 , 000 bpd modular refinery on October 4 in Obigwe, Ohaji , Imo State .
Iyamu stated , “ The Niger Delta Petroleum Resources in Ogbele, Rivers State , has established an additional 10 , 000 bpd modular refinery . Civil works and installation of refinery are almost completed .
“ The company already has a pioneer 1 , 000 bpd mini refinery in the same site and it is expected to be inaugurated in the first week of November by the Presidency .
“ There ’ s also the Walter Smith modular refinery that is to be established with a capacity of 5 , 000 bpd in Imo State . The ground – breaking has been fixed for October 4 . ”
He said the vision was part of the Federal Government’ s 16 – point agenda for the development of the region , which was already being carried out in phases .
Others include the Ogoni clean – up project , gas flaring commercialisation policy , and the establishment up of the Maritime University in Delta State .
The workshop , which is the third in the series , had in attendance journalists and civil society organisations drawn from Abia , Akwa Ibom and Cross River states .
Source PUNCH .
