The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has declared its intent to halt the importation of refined petroleum products by December 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mele Kyari, the NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, revealed this commitment during a meeting with the speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Kyari said all the country’s refineries would be operational by December 2024, adding that the company would become a net exporter of the commodities at the end of the same year.
Kyari blamed the petroleum subsidy for nonfunctional refineries in Nigeria over the years, emphasising that the subsidy’s removal was already attracting significant private-sector investment.
“I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation,” he said.
“This is the commitment we are giving today and you can hold us accountable for this. In 2024, many of the initiatives including the rehabilitation of our refineries and also the efforts of small-scale refineries, and the upcoming Dangote refinery, will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products in 2024.
“We will no longer be talking about fuel importation by the end of 2024. I am very optimistic that this will crystallise.”
Kyair said the NNPC is targeting a profit increase of N2 trillion when the 2022 audited financial statements (AFS) are released, adding that since July this year, the company has started paying dividends to its shareholders.
In addressing concerns about petroleum product supply, particularly premium motor spirit (PMS), Kyari assured that the NNPC has robust plans in place to meet demand during the upcoming end-of-year festivities and beyond.
“By the creation of the national assembly, NNPC Ltd. is saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing Nigeria’s energy security, which is critical to national security,” he said.
