Tinubu Govt Reveals When Kaduna Refinery Will Be Ready

The Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has disclosed that the Kaduna refinery will begin operation by the end of 2024.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, made this known on Saturday during an inspection of the progress of quick-fix work on the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited (KRPC).

Lokpobiri was at the facility alongside the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, and other top executive directors of the oil company.

In a statement shared by the NNPPC after the visit, Lokpobiri said the timeframe was given due to the “significant level of progress” he witnessed on the tour.

The minister said the federal government would continue its support to ensure the Kaduna refinery is back on stream before the end of this year.

Lokpobiri asserted that key players involved in the refinery’s rehabilitation process would be held accountable to ensure the timely delivery of the project.

He said there is an urgent need to get the refinery back on stream for the nation’s economic prosperity and energy security — which are both paths to sustainable development.

Kyari Speaks

On his part, Kyari assured that the timeframe for the fuel plant to begin operation will be met as all hands are on deck.

Kyari said the equipment needed for the quick-fix activities is already in place, adding that the repair would ensure 60,000 barrels per day output at the refinery.

He said: “We are very confident that we will get the appropriate financing to get to the end of it, and ultimately, we will start to deliver value to Nigerians again.

“We plan the quick fix for 60,000 barrels per day so that we can start making money from this plant, and we can continue the other part of the refinery to bring it up to its full-fledged capacity.

“This will also tally with the completion of the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) on the pipeline.”