Final test runs being carried out on Port Harcourt refinery as it prepares to resume operations

NIGERIAN petroleum ministry officials are carrying out final test runs at the Port Harcourt refinery amid hopes that the facility will soon be up and running again bringing about an end to petrol scarcity and exorbitant fuel costs across the country.

For about the last 20 years, Nigeria has been plagued by fuel shortages as a result of the fact that its three refineries in Port Harcourt and Kaduna all packed up at the same time. This has led to the federal government importing refined petrol from abroad, despite Nigeria being the world's sixth largest crude oil exporter.

Among other things, the development had had dire economic consequences as the cost of importing petrol has been high, wiping out the advantages of Nigeria being a crude oil exporter. In a bid to stem the rot, the government begun work on repairing the three refineries, while private sector operators like Aliko Dangote are adding to capacity with new facilities.

Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria's minister of state for petroleum resources, said refined petroleum products from the Port Harcourt plant should hit the market soon. He added that the mechanical aspect of the refinery has been completed and he is optimistic the facility will be operational soon as the Port Harcourt refinery is very fundamental to the survival of the country economically.

Mr Lokpobiri said: “I believe that very soon products will start coming from there and the Warri refinery is in top gear. If you ask me, in the next few months, we would have tremendously increased our refining capacity.

“So I believe that very soon the Port Harcourt refinery and the other refineries will all come on stream.”