Delta to launch three modular refineries

Eyes gas revolution for massive industrialisation, solid mineral development

The Delta state government yesterday said it would introduce three new modular refineries with 30, 000 per day capacity as part of measure to boost refinery and local production of petroleum products in the country.

The state also revealed that a new plan is underway to harness gas potential to lead massive industralisation that would provide no fewer than 10, 000 jobs.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja, the state’s commissioner for oil and gas Mofe Pirah said the state has also assisted the federal to boost revenue, particularly by engaging with stakeholders across communities in the state to clampdown on hostility against oil facilities.“Delta state has three refineries waiting to take off. One in Sapele, one in Kwale area and one in Okpai. They have about 10,000 capacity each,” he said.

According to him, the plans will see fruition this year.Stating that the activities of militants have been tamed significantly in the state, Pirah said the state has equally contributed to the increase in the country’s oil production in recent times

“Revenue from oil has been going up because Delta state government is going round to communities to ensure peace. By first week of March we will be in another senatorial district to lead advocacy. Things are beginning to make move in the oil and gas index. Delta state is safe now. We have set up desk across ministries to ensure that issues are instantly addressed,” Pirah stated.

He disclosed that the state has furthered investors’ confidence, noting that a key oil and gas company, Heritage, which own the OML 30, which had his production crippled to about 10,000 barrel per day of crude oil, has resumed production and currently produce about 75,000.

The state commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mary Iyasere said the state is looking beyond the opportunities in the oil sector to exploring its solid mineral potentials, stressing that the lack of collaboration between the federal and state government remained a critical challenge.“People come to Delta state to mine without letting us know who they are. If there is proper collaboration between state government and the federal government would be better,” Iyasere said.

According to her, there is need for synergy between the federal and state to ensure that the mining contribute better to the economy of the country.A consultant to the state government, David I’ve said with over 40 per cent of gas deposit, the state would be leveraging on the opportunity to ensure that gas become domicile in the state and transform the economy of the state.

He said an industrial project coming up in the Kwale region of the state would create the largest manufacturing location for small and medium scale businesses in the country.“The region would create a corridor for the manufacturing of glass, ceramics and plastic since the region is rich in raw materials that would aid production,” Ige said.