President Buhari Commissions WalterSmith Modular Refinery

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the WalterSmith Modular Refinery in Imo State.

The commissioning, which was the phase 1 of the 50,000 BPD Refinery was also disclosed on the Presidency's verified Twitter handle @MBuhari.

The Presidency said the project is a fulfillment of the President's commitment to supporting modular refinery investment.

Commissioning of 5,000 BPD Modular Refinery, in the Ibigwe Field, in ImoState.

-Groundbreaking took place Sept 2018

-This is phase 1 of a 50,000 BPD Refinery

-This project is a fulfillment of President @MBuhari’s commitment to supporting modular refinery investment#Thread pic.twitter.com/96EA1NfzU1

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 24, 2020

READ ALSO: President Buhari To Commission First Phase Of WalterSmith Refinery

The company said the refinery is expected to produce 271m liters of petroleum products annually and has already delivered about 5 million litres of product into the country.

The 5,000 BPD Refinery being commissioned today by Pres. Buhari will produce 271m liters of petroleum product annually. Since it commenced evacuation of products in Nov 2020, it has already delivered 5 million litres of product into the Nigerian market, according to the company.

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 24, 2020

The tweet also adds that: "The next phase of this Project will be a 45,000 BPD Refinery, with a completion timeline of 24-30months. When completed, the Refinery will utilize 16 million barrels of crude oil annually, according to Wabote Simbi, Executive Secretary of @OfficialNCDMB."

Simbi added further that: 

.@wabote_simbi: One of our mandates is to Develop in-country capacities/capabilities to add value to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources. This is why we chose to partner with WalterSmith, when they came knocking 2018. Today we‘re celebrating completion & commissioning of the project.

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 24, 2020

.@wabote_simbi: The Federal Government’s target is that at least 10% of Nigeria’s crude and condensate production should be refined through modular refineries.

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 24, 2020

.@wabote_simbi: The FG’s investment in ongoing modular refinery projects so far amounts to 80,000 BPD of combined modular refining capacity.

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) November 24, 2020