Wike Inspects Port Harcourt Refinery, Facility Starts Refining Of Crude

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has commended Nigerian technical staff of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, for having efficiently concluded the turn around maintenance of the facility.

Governor Wike who spoke during a facility visit to the PHRC on Wednesday, said the success of the turn around maintenance (TAM) was a proof of the capacity of Nigerian engineers.

He said the completion of the TAM and commencement of refining of crude means that more employment will be created for the people.

He said : “I commend the staff of the PHRC for the successful completion of the TAM. It means that this facility will create more employment for the people “.

He directed the Eleme Local Government Council to clear refuse dumps on the Refinery Road. The governor also announced that the State Government will partner with the PHRC to rehabilitate bad portions of the Refinery Road.

Earlier, the Managing Director of PHRC, Dr Bafred Enjugu informed the governor that the TAM was carried out by indigenous Nigerian staff after traditional foreign partners refused to embark on the exercise.

He said : “This TAM was carried out solely by our people here in Nigeria. Today, the Refinery has started production as a result of the determination of our technical personnel “.

He further affirmed that PHRC will continue to partner with the State Government in order to deliver on its core mandate.

The PHRC has commenced production after the completion of the first phase of TAM. Crude oil will be supplied to the facility by sea vessels.