Rivers Refinery Takes Off, 2012n

The Rivers State Government, has concluded plans for the building of its refinery at Ikpokiri, Okrika Local Government Area.

The State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Hon. Okey Amadi, disclosed this to newsmen at Afara, Etche Local Government Area, recently.

Hon. Amadi stated that already Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the new refinery had been signed between the state government and the Omega Popular Nigeria Limited.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the licence for the new refinery had been acquired by the state government while land for the project had also been purchased.

According to him, the state government was partnering with Omega Popular Nigeria Limited to build the refinery, adding that the state government would contribute 20 per cent while the company would contribute 80 per cent to the project.

He stated that the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s administration was committed to ensuring that the project was realised as projected.

Commenting on the planned removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, Hon. Okey Amadi lauded the tenacity of the Federal Government towards.

The commissioner allayed fear that the planned removal of the subsidy would bring hardship to ordinary Nigerians adding that it was only the privileged few that were benefiting from the subsidy.

“The Federal Government got the subsidy through tax. The removal is to make sure that common people do not suffer. The subsidy is for the few cabals who grow fat and we are still where we are,” he stated.

The commissioner noted that the money that would be saved from the subsidy will be used to refurbish the country’s refineries as well as build new ones adding that when the refineries become operational, the price of fuel would naturally come down.

He urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government’s initiative and its efforts on its determination to transform the country especially the petroleum sector.

Mercy Awari