The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari, has restated the commitment of NNPC to boost production for local consumption.
This arises owing to the fact that the country’s four refineries are producing less than optimum leading to a dependency in the importation of fuel and gas for local consumption.
The Minister of state for petroleum resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, has reiterated the determination of the Federal government to stop fuel importation.
According to Sylva, the government wants to put an end to the importation of refined petroleum products. He said this at the first hydro-skimming private modular refinery in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state capital yesterday.
“Azikel refinery is set to actualise the export of refined products from Bayelsa State to other states in the Nigerian federation, with a daily production of 1.5 million litres of petrol, one million litres of diesel 500,000 litres of kerosene and aviation fuel.
“This will reverse the stigma of Nigeria, the world’s fifth-largest producer of crude oil, being a net importer of refined products,” he stated.
He explained that President Buhari plans to industrialise the Niger Delta, boost infrastructural development and facilitate employment creation is being actualised by the Azikel Refinery through the additional workforce and encouragement of youths towards the acquisition of vocational skills needed to fill paid and self-employment slots being rapidly created by the refinery.
