Nahimat Adekoga
Strong indications emerged on Friday that the Federal Government may be projecting at least 20,000 barrels per day production capacity from the proposed first Gbaramatu Modular Refineries that would be licensed.
Governor Ifanyi Okowa of Delta disclosed this to the State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa on Friday in Abuja.
Okowa who commended the federal government on the modular refineries initiative, emphasised the prospects of revenue earnings from the facilities in Niger Delta.
The governor expressed the hope that such refineries would complement regular refineries in the country.
According to him, the Federal Government had given its nod for the Gbaramatu Modular Refineries (GMR).
He said however, policies and regulatory frameworks that would ensure a friendly environment for the operations of all the refineries are being considered by the government.
Okowa said a committee comprising Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, some management staff of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, and Deputy Governor of Delta, were drawing up blueprint for the modular refineries.
“I think the processes are being put in place. President 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 are 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 in the Niger Delta.’’
President Buhari had appointed Osinbajo as an emissary to prospect for peace in Niger Delta.
