» Nigeria's Four Refineries To Begin Operation Next Month - NNPC «

Nigeria’s four refineries will resume production
next month, spokesperson of the Nigeria National
Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said.
Ohi Alegbe on Thursday said the four refineries –
two in Port Harcourt, one in Kaduna and the
other one in Warri will be fully operational from
next month.
Speaking to AFP, Alegbe said “the operations
resume after a successful turn-around-
maintenance (overhaul) of their facilities”.
“The turn-around-maintenance has been on for
some time. We did not just want to make any
noise about it. The refineries will start production
as soon as they have delivery of crude oil for
refining,” he said.
His statement raises hope of an end to perennial
petrol shortages that have plagued Africa’s largest
crude producer.
The NNPC has four refineries — two in Port
Harcourt in the south, one in northern Kaduna
and another in southern Warri, with a combined
installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day.
A network of pipelines and depots located
throughout the country link these refineries.
Nigeria produces a massive two million barrels of
crude oil a day, but has to export it due to a lack
of working refineries. It then imports fuel back
into the country at international market prices — a
situation blamed on corruption and
mismanagement.
To cushion the blow on the general population,
the government sells fuel on the streets at
subsidised prices, and makes up for the higher
amounts spent by importers by reimbursing
them the difference — a system seen as rife with
false claims and overpayments.
Last month, a crippling fuel shortage almost
grounded Nigeria to a halt, as fuel importers and
marketers shut their depots to protest some $1
billion (900 million euros) in unpaid
reimbursements.
Black market and legitimate petrol vendors did a
brisk trade, selling at around 300 naira ($1.5; 1.3
euros) a litre — well above the officially-set price
of 87 naira.
In January 2012, the government tried to end the
subsidies, causing petrol prices to more than
double. It was ultimately forced to reinstate the
payments after tens of thousands of people took
to the streets in violent protests that left more
than a dozen dead.
Alegbe said the resumption of refinery
activity “will significantly improve the
supply of petroleum products in the
country.”