ABUJA, (Sundiata Post) – Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has disclosed that the Federal Government is currently fine-tuning the process for the eventual take-off of modular refineries scattered across the Niger Delta region.
Already the Federal Government has given its nod for the Gbaramatu Modular Refineries, but policies and regulatory frameworks that would ensure a friendly environment for the business to strive and achieve its desired objectives was now being considered.
The government is projecting at least 20,000 barrels per day production capacity from the first modular refinery that would be licensed to operate.
The modular refineries are expected to complement other regular refineries in the country, most of which are in deplorable condition.
Okowa disclosed these to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Friday.
He further stated that a committee comprising the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, some management staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well as Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro were working to come up with a suitable blueprint soon.
Okowa said,”I think the process is being put in place. You realise that the President Muhammadu Buhari talks a lot about it and I believe the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the NNPC management have been working in that direction.
“Modular refineries is not something that you can just bring up all in one day or in one month, I believe that the processes are being put in place to ensure that we have some of them in some of our communities in the creeks and in the Niger Delta generally”.
The Governor also gave a tentative month for the take-off of the Maritime University, which passed third reading at the Senate recently.
He commended the Vice President, whom he said has ensured peace in Delta state in particular.
“We are also aware that a committee has been set up led by the Minister of Education, my Deputy Governor is part of the committee to work out the processes to enable the Maritime University take off in October. It’s a step in the right direction so I came to appreciate him and to discuss some other issues with him.
“If you find out in the past few months there has been peace in Delta state so I wanted to appreciate his visit to Delta state because that definitely helped us in the peace process. Just yesterday the bill for the Maritime University Okerenkoko passed third reading at the Senate that is definitely a very strong plus for us”.
banker of the day - FREE banker tips from experts