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Port Harcourt Refinery: NNPCL, PETROAN Open Up On Petrol Price
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PETROAN ) have shed light on the implications of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery on petrol prices in the country. The refinery, which has been in a state of disrepair for several years, is currently undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation project.
According to the NNPC, the rehabilitation of the refinery is expected to increase the country's refining capacity, thereby reducing its reliance on imported petroleum products. The corporation's Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, stated that the project is part of the federal government's efforts to revamp the country's refining infrastructure and ensure energy security.
Kyari explained that the rehabilitation of the refinery would enable the country to refine more petroleum products locally, thereby reducing the demand for imported products. He added that this would, in turn, help to stabilize petrol prices in the country. The NNPC boss noted that the rehabilitation project is a key component of the corporation's strategy to increase the country's refining capacity and reduce its reliance on imported petroleum products.
However, the President of Petroan, Felix Osifo, has cautioned that the rehabilitation of the refinery may not necessarily lead to a reduction in petrol prices. Osifo argued that the price of petrol is influenced by a variety of factors, including the price of crude oil in the international market, transportation costs, and taxes.
Osifo stated that while the rehabilitation of the refinery is a positive development, it is only one part of the equation. He emphasized that the government needs to address other issues, such as the lack of investment in the downstream sector, the high cost of transportation, and the burden of taxes on petroleum products.
The NNPC and Petroan have both emphasized the importance of the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery in enhancing the country's energy security and reducing its reliance on imported petroleum products. However, the impact of the project on petrol prices remains to be seen, and will likely depend on a variety of factors, including the price of crude oil, transportation costs, and taxes.
The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery is a significant development in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, and its impact will be closely watched by stakeholders in the sector. As the project progresses, it is expected that the NNPC and other stakeholders will continue to provide updates on its implications for the country's energy sector and petrol prices.
The Port Harcourt Refinery is one of Nigeria's four state-owned refineries, with a combined refining capacity of 445,000 barrels per day. However, the refineries have been operating at a fraction of their capacity due to years of neglect and lack of investment. The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery is seen as a key step towards revamping the country's refining infrastructure and reducing its reliance on imported petroleum products.
In addition to the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, the NNPC has also announced plans to rehabilitate the country's other refineries, including the Warri and Kaduna refineries. The corporation has also announced plans to build new refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, which is currently under construction in Lagos.
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