Three More Modular Refineries To Be Operational In 2024: Simbi Wabote

 

The Nigeria Content Development  and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has revealed that by  2024, three more Modular refineries will start operation in the country maintaining that  already one has started production.

Speaking  on Tuesday in Yenagoa during the opening ceremony of this year's edition of practical Nigerian Content Forum with the theme, deepening Nigerian Content amidst divestment, domestication  and decarbonization, the Executive Secretary of the board, Simbi Wabote added that  the board had  already partnered with  a local refinery known as Waltersmith to establish a 5,000bpd modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State.

He also disclosed that this year alone, the refinery has produced and sold over 170million liters or about 3,000 trucks of petroleum products  which he said would have been  imported using scarce forex.

The three other modular refineries which he said  are  nearing  completion are Azikel Refinery with support from AFREXIM bank, Duport Refiney in Edo State  and the jetty and FAT for the Inside Battery Limit (ISBL) of the Atlantic Refinery modular refinery.

 Wabote said that in the  area of gas utilization, one of the partnerships has enabled the utilization of part of the OB-3 pipeline with the commissioning of NEDO Gas plant currently injecting lean gas into the gas pipeline infrastructure adding that the partnership has also opened export outlets for other gas operators within the Kwale axis thus eliminating the need for gas flaring.

He said"While Duport Refiney in Edo State is essentially complete, we are looking at the various options and offers before us to bring closure to the partnership in line with our Investment Policy. The jetty and the FAT for the Inside Battery Limit (ISBL) of the Atlantic Refinery modular refinery have been completed. We are now focused on taking delivery of the ISBL while exploring all the options open to address the funding challenges hindering the completion of the project.

"In the area of gas utilization, one of our partnerships has enabled the utilization of part of the OB-3 pipeline with the commissioning of NEDO Gas plant currently injecting lean gas into the gas pipeline infrastructure. The partnership has also opened export outlets for other gas operators within the Kwale axis thus eliminating the need for gas flaring.

"Other active sites under our partnerships with local businesses include Butane Energy for LPG storage and distribution in 10 norther states, Bunorr for the production of base oil, Eraskon for lube oil blending plant, and Triansel for construction LPG Terminal and 5,000MT storage tank.

" We have commenced discussions on key steps required to cure the issues around the partnerships. Under the roadmap initiatives, we challenged ourselves to move from the 27th position in 2019 on the ease of doing business ranking from MDAs to the 1st position last year and still maintained this position this year.

"The portfolio of Nigerian Content Intervention Funds being managed by BOI and NEXIM Bank has grown to Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500 million) with various product offerings for assets acquisition, project finance, manufacturing, and others.

"On the construction of additional NOGAPS industrial parks, we currently have eight (8) in our portfolio including the two (2) planned to commence operations next year. The other six are in Akwa Ibom, Imo, Ondo, Delta, Edo, and Abia states which are at various stages on engineering design and site preparation works.

"As we carry out various intervention across the industry, we also ensure that our staffs are not left behind as we continue to develop the capacity and capability of our staff via training and exposure and assignment to job roles that bring out commensurate talents.

"We continue to provide the best-in-class work environment and tools for our staff in the various locations which contributes to our recognition as the reigning No1 MDA in the country.

Also speaking through zoom, the chief executive officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari commended NCDMB  for yearly organizing the event stating that there is no other way to build local capacity than what NCDMB is doing currently.

He said " We need to build our local capacity by organizing seminars, workshops  and to encourage the local industry  build local capacites.

Also the minister of state for petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri represented by Gabriel Aduda the permanent secretary of the ministry who also spoke through  zoom thanked NCBMB for organizing the event but regretted that Africa has been muddled up in the politics of climate change.

He said that divestment is not something that people should run away from and thanked NCDMB for bringing together stakeholders to brainstorm.

The Governor of Bayelsans State Douye Diri  represented by the secretary to the state government Gideon Ekeowie thanked Simbi Wabote for building a fora where those in the oil and gas industry gather to discuss the way forward.

" Thank you for bringing stakeholders to come and discuss and implement local contents in Nigeria to provide an avenue for knowledge sharing  collaboration and pathership between key players.

This emphasizes the need for Nigerians to take advantage and maximize the benefits in the industry. The governor  said.