RSG Plans Refinery At Ikpokiri

Rivers State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Hon. Okey Amadi, has said that the government plans to build a modular refinery at Ikpokiri, in  Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.

The Commissioner said the refinery which was a long term measure aimed at cushioning effect of scarity of petroleum products on the people would be built in conjunction with a foreign investor, Omega-Butter Refineries Ltd.

Hon. Amadi who was reacting to the current petrol scarcity in the state while fielding questions from journalists recently however, enjoined residents to be patient and law-abiding as government was working hard to ensure availability of the products in the state.

He announced that so far, at least 40 trucks load daily at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot, assuring that in a short while the situation would be improved.

According tho him, the refinery project would commence as soon as the license was issued by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) before the end of the year.

Hon. Amadi condemned major marketers of petroleum products for selling products at exorbitant rates to operators of filling stations thereby causing arbitrary increase in pump price of products, and warned such marketers and filling station operators to desist from hoarding products as well as resist the temptation of selling only at nights.

He described such an act as illegal and punishable by law, pleading with the people of the state to remain calm as government was on top of the situation.