Federal Government Expects 2 Million Litres of Petrol from Port-Harcourt Refinery, Minister Reveals
The Federal Government has announced that the Port-Harcourt refinery is set to commence operations, producing two million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 2.2 million litres of diesel daily. This disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, following an inspection tour of the facility alongside organized labor leaders.
Onyejeocha stated that the refinery, which is 80% completed, will initially operate with an output of 54,000 barrels per day from the old plant. The new plant, currently in its final phase of completion, will also commence production before the year’s end. Once both plants are fully operational, they are expected to produce a combined total of 10 million litres of PMS daily.
The visit to the Port-Harcourt refinery was part of the 16-point agreement reached between the government and organized labor last year. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to social dialogue with organized labor and other stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing workers’ welfare and maintaining industrial peace and harmony.
Addressing the issue of constant strike threats, Onyejeocha urged union leaders to consider strikes as a last resort, as they could deter potential investors and negatively impact the business environment. She also reviewed the progress reports on agreements reached in October 2023, including wage awards, payment of outstanding salaries and wages, VAT suspension on diesel, and other issues.
The Minister assured that the government is actively engaging with stakeholders on tax incentives and has resolved leadership crises within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
In response, the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) commended the government for progress made in implementing the agreement but expressed concerns over unresolved issues, particularly regarding the NURTW. They urged the government to fulfill all agreements and provide data to support claims, especially regarding VAT.
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The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ismail Abubakar, the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, M.A. Yusuf, and other ministry officials. TUC representatives included Secretary General Nuhu Toro, Vice President Kayode Alakija, Deputy President, and two others.
The Nation reported the story
