The first modular refinery owned by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, in the Niger Delta region, located in Ogbele, Rivers State, is expected to refine 10,000 barrel of crude oil daily, after its upgrade from 1,000bpd capacity come November.

This was disclosed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday by the Federal Government, through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta, Mr Edobor Iyamu, during the opening session of a media workshop on ‘Agenda for the Niger Delta New Vision’ and with the theme: ‘Partnership for regional development and nation building’.

Iyamu, who unveiled plans for the take-off of the first modular refinery in the first week of November, also said that prior to the unveiling of the upgraded refinery in Rivers State, a ground-breaking ceremony would be performed by the Presidency for the construction of another 5,000 bpd modular refinery on October 4 in Obigwe, Ohaji, Imo State.

In his words, “The Niger Delta Petroleum Resources in Ogbele, Rivers State, has established an additional 10,000 bpd modular refinery. Civil works and installation of refinery are almost completed.

“The company already has a pioneer 1,000 bpd mini refinery in the same site and it is expected to be inaugurated in the first week of November by the Presidency.

“There’s also the Walter Smith modular refinery that is to be established with a capacity of 5,000 bpd in Imo State. The ground-breaking has been fixed for October 4.”

While saying the vision was part of the Federal Government’s 16-point agenda for the development of the region, which was already being carried out in phases, stressed that others include the Ogoni clean-up project, gas flaring commercialisation policy, and the establishment of the Maritime University in Delta State.