Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity, yesterday, increased by 67.7 per cent to 860,000 barrels per day, bpd, from 650,000 bpd, as the Port Harcourt Refinery resumed production, Vanguard news reports.

Before commencement of operations, the nation depended on output coming from the 650,000 bpd Dangote Refinery and importation.

At their full capacities, both the Dangote Refinery, and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL’s Port Harcourt-based refinery will yield 136.7 million litres of petrol per day, based on 159 litres/barrel conversion rate.

This, it was gathered will be in excess of the nation’s daily national demand, currently estimated at 40 million litres by stakeholders.

In his statement, yesterday, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, said the company has fulfilled its pledge of re-streaming the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, signaling commencement of crude oil refining from the plant and delivery of petroleum products into the market.

He said: “On Tuesday (yesterday), trucks began loading petroleum products which include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.”

Also, speaking at a brief ceremony to mark commencement of products loading at the refinery, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO, of NNPCL, Mr. Mele Kyari described the commencement of loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria, which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

The GCEO particularly thanked President Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence to ensure energy security for the country.

Kyari also expressed appreciation to the NNPC Ltd., Board of Directors and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the re-streaming of the refinery. He also commended the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery was delivered despite all challenges.

The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the company to deliver on the other refineries.

Kyari also expressed appreciation to the NNPC Ltd., Board of Directors and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the re-streaming of the refinery. He also commended the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery was delivered despite all challenges.

The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the company to deliver on the other refineries.

The PHRC rehabilitation project, is an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning, EPCIC, project aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal. It has achieved over 16 million man-hours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).