The Federal Government on Thursday said the Port-Harcourt Refinery would begin operations by producing two million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol and 2.2 million litres of diesel per day.
The government also disclosed that the refinery was at 80 per cent completion, noting that the old plant of the refinery would produce 54,000 barrels per day, while the new plant which is in its last phase of completion, would start production by the end of the year.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun.
According to the statement, the Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the assertions after an inspection tour of the facility along with the leadership of organised labour, adding that the combined capacities of both plants would produce 10 million litres of PMS per day.
“Speaking on the inspection visit to the Port-Harcourt refinery by TUC and Federal Government delegation, the minister said reports by organised labour and government established that the Port-Harcourt refinery is 80% completed.
“She explained that the old plant would begin with 54,000 barrels per day, which would produce two million litres of PMS and 2.2 million litres of diesel per day, while the new plant which is currently going through its last phase of completion would also begin production before the end of the year. The combined capacity of the two plants, when fully on stream, would produce 10 million litres of PMS per day”, the statement read.
A scheduled visit to the Port-Harcourt refinery was among the 16-point agreements between the Federal Government and the organised labour last year.
Onyejeocha stated that the government was open to dialogue with organised labour and other stakeholders with the aim of achieving peace and harmony in the sector, while appealing to the union leaders to consider strike actions as a last option, as it sends wrong signals to investors.
“Issuing of constant strike threat could send wrong signals to potential investors. This is not healthy for our business environment,” she said.