OpeOluwani Akintayo
03 July 2018, Sweetcrude, Abuja — Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, has faulted the construction of 20,000 barrels per day, b/d, modular refineries currently prevalent across the country.
He made his stand known at the ongoing 5-day 2018 Nigerian Oil and Gas conference in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, the standard capacity for a modular refinery is from 1000b/d to 5000b/d.
It would be noted that the capacity of most modular refineries since its commencement during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime has been 20,000 barrels per day.
And on behalf of the federal government, Wabote also assured to accord interested investors in modular refineries necessary support as long as they meet the requirements.
“The standard for construction of modular refineries is from 1,000 barrels per day and 5,000 barrels per day,” Wabote said.
“Anything more than 1,000 barrels per day to 5,000 barrels per day is no longer a modular refinery because, at this stage, you would begin to think of getting funds from banks and submitting plans to the central bank,” he stated, adding: “However, we are prepared to work with investors who are ready build more modular refineries and we promise to build more…”
He revealed that there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for another modular refinery in November.
Wabote urged International Oil Companies, IOCs, in Nigeria, to work towards giving support to the growth of local content in the country.
According to him, giving support to local content in Nigeria will push the oil and gas sector towards sustainable economic development and growth. He also assured of continued support for expatriates in the country.
