The Federal Government says the Port Harcourt Refinery is 80 per cent completed and would produce two million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol, and 2.2 million litres of diesel per day upon resuming operations.
In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun on Thursday, noted that the old plant of the refinery would produce 54,000 barrels per day, while the new plant which is in its last phase of completion, would start production by the end of the year.
According to the statement, the Minister of State, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha made the assertions after an inspection tour of the facility along with the leadership of organised labour, adding that the combined capacities of both plants would produce 10 million litres of PMS per day.
Onyejeocha stated that the government is open to dialogue with organised labour and other stakeholders to achieve peace and harmony in the sector while appealing to the union leaders to consider strike actions as a last option, as it sends wrong signals to investors.
“Issuing of constant strike threat could send wrong signals to potential investors. This is not healthy for our business environment,” she said
The statement also stated that the Federal Government and the leadership of the Trade Union Congress met to review the progress report on agreements reached in October 2023 between the government and organised labour.
“During the review, the minister read each item on the memorandum of understanding among which were the payment of four out of six months on wage award, the committee of minimum wage review, payment of outstanding salaries and wages of tertiary education workers in federal- owned educational institutions, suspension of VAT on diesel, payment of N25,000 conditional cash transfer to 3,140,819 households, including the pensioners.
Among the progress made are subsidised distribution of fertilisers to farmers across the country, the government’s engagement with various state governments and the private sector on the issue of the implementation of wage awards for their workers, and plans to encourage MSEs in the country to create jobs and boost the economy”, the statement read.
P’Harcourt Refinery 80% Completed, – Minister
