Welcome, Edo new industrial hub

Sir: Dangote Cement, Okpella, BUA Cement Okpella, Edo Modular Refinery Ologbo and Duport Modular Refinery, Egbokor in Edo State have created Edo new industrial hub. Edo under Governor Obaseki has produced the first energy park and two cement companies in Nigeria.

The new industrial hub has repositioned Edo State economy to be viable and globally competitive; it has been able to set a pace for future growth and massive industrialisation. Edo Government says the ongoing Modular Refinery project at Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state, will on completion; drive the state’s industrial revolution quest and reduce petrol subsidy in Nigeria.

Asides from the initial costs, over $100 million was invested in gas turbines to power a 50-megawatt plant for 24-hour electricity generation as well as the construction of a 30km gas supply pipeline. The world-class plant would give a much-needed boost to Nigeria’s cement industry as well as enhance the development of related sectors, including housing and construction.

Duport Midstream Company Limited of Lagos announced in late March that its upcoming modular refinery in Nigeria’s Edo State would indeed be ready for commissioning in the fourth quarter of this year. Duport alongside the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is implementing this project. NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Kesiyi Wabote, recently toured the project site and reportedly confirmed that the project has reached approximately 80% completion.

The 2500 barrels per modular refinery being established at Egbokor, Edo State by Duport Midstream Company Limited in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will be ready for commissioning in the last quarter of 2021. Wabote visited the project site to assess the progress of work on the fabrication of the tank farms, civil works, pipeline installation and other site preparation works and confirmed that the project had reached 80 percent completion.

Edo modular refinery was developed by two Chinese firms: AIPCC Energy Limited and Peiyang Chemical Equipment Company Limited. It has a capacity of 6,000 barrels per day and it is expected to produce 50 percent of diesel (500,000 litres), 25 percent of naphtha (300,000 litres) and 20 percent of fuel oil (200,000 litres) from its feedstock.

President Muhammadu Buhari had said construction of modular refineries in Nigeria will make petroleum products available in the country as well as eliminate importation.

Inwalomhe Donald wrote from Edo State.