- As NNPC Chief, Mele Kyari, affirms continuity of delivery schedule
The Senate has refuted recent media assertions purporting its intention to uncover purported “fraudulent activities associated with the contracts and management of the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the nation’s refineries.”
A news article circulating last week suggested that the Senate, through its Ad-hoc Committee on the Investigation of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) in the nation’s refineries, had vowed to “reveal all instances of fraud linked to the contracts and management of the process.”
In a statement Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd. Abuja Olufemi O. Soneye said Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, expressed dissatisfaction with the “regrettable reports” during an interactive session on Thursday, emphasizing that the National Assembly could not prematurely render judgment on an issue still under scrutiny.
“I apologize for any misconceptions stemming from the reports. My statements were taken out of context,” Senator Ubah clarified during the session.
Furthermore, Senator Ubah emphasized that the Committee’s primary objective was to facilitate the comprehensive rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries, ensuring they return to optimal refining capacities, thus guaranteeing nationwide petroleum product sufficiency and safeguarding Nigeria’s energy security.
In response, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, brought the aforementioned news report to the attention of the Ad-hoc Committee, assuring Nigerians of the steadfast adherence to the delivery timeline for the Port Harcourt and other refineries.
“We are committed to fulfilling the pledges made regarding the rehabilitation of these refineries. The mechanical completion of PHRC was achieved in December. Currently, it is in the process of undergoing regulatory compliance tests before recommencement. I assure you, this refinery will be operational within the next two weeks,” stated the GCEO.
Kyari elaborated that the mechanical work on the Warri refinery has also been completed, with ongoing regulatory compliance processes. As for the Kaduna refinery, projected readiness is set for December of this year, with work still ongoing to meet the scheduled timeline.
Presently, the Port Harcourt Refinery has received 450,000 barrels of crude for processing subsequent to the mechanical completion of the plant in December of last year, according to Kyari.
He appealed for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the rehabilitation endeavor, emphasizing the collective duty of serving the nation faithfully. Kyari reassured that progress would be made gradually towards the fulfillment of this task.
The Senate Ad-hoc Committee anticipates conducting on-site assessments of work progress at the three refineries located in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt in the near future.
