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REFINING Zealand. It is aggravating in Nigeria because have the capacity to end the importation of
we don’t produce the product. ‘It’s aggravated petroleum products in South-South region
Scarcity of jet A1 fuel and also because the foreign exchange is scarce of Nigeria. The two modular refineries will
end fuel subsidy in the South-South region
in Nigeria because the source of earning the
Edo modular refinery foreign exchange also has dwindled.” of Nigeria. They will start operation very
He stated that the Federal Government
soon. We are expecting President Buhari to
As part of continued efforts to get an had in the past sourced 10,000 metric commission them very soon. Edo Modular
increased share of Nigeria’s oil and gas tonnes of Aviation Fuel for the airlines, ‘as Energy refinery is set to increase crude oil
revenue, the Edo State Government has we speak, the government is in the process production from 6,000 barrels per day (bpd)
established Edo modular refinery and sought of finding a permanent solution to this to 60,000 bpd. The project will enhance
for a partnership with the Nigerian National issue”. In addressing some of the challenges fuel sufficiency in the country and reduce
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited facing the sector, Sirika said some of the the sufferings of Nigerians in every facet.
for the refining of aviation fuel in the state. solutions include ‘importation of the product Projections are that some of its products
NNPC has refused to allocate crude oil to Edo at an appropriate price, accelerating the will be exported to boost foreign exchange
modular refinery to produce aviation fuel. refurbishment of our refineries and also wait earnings and by the time it extends operations
Edo modular refinery has the capacity to stop for the coming on stream of Dangote Refinery into different phases, the firm would be able
the importation of Jet A1 Fuel in Nigeria. Why to boost the supply of the product. to take care of more than 80 per cent of diesel
is NNPC refusing to allocate crude oil to Edo On his part, the President of AON, Alh. requirement in Nigeria. The investment is
modular refinery? Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina explained that also expected to benefit Edo people through
Governor Obaseki has established a the aviation fuel crisis began at N180 per litre job creation, increased revenue and ease of
modular refinery for aviation fuel and other and now it is at N1000 per litre. He lamented pressure on other refineries.
petroleum products to service the state’s that the Forex crisis is a huge burden on President Buhari should encourage
growing aviation industry and the country at the industry. ‘The rate at which the dollar is modular refineries in Edo State. Secondly,
large. Edo modular refinery wants to produce escalating now is very alarming. Every day, even small-scale refineries should be
aviation fuel if NNPC can allocate crude oil a difference between 10-15 Naira is added to encouraged to come up to boost the
to Edo modular refinery. Edo cannot wait the parallel market. Last week Monday, it was moribund refineries we have. Nigeria can
for a big refinery; give crude to Edo modular N610 but today, it is N670 to one dollar,” he even build a brand new refinery from the
refinery to refine. Edo modular refinery that said. scratch, it will help us. We have been waiting
has capacity to produce aviation fuel was There are two modular refineries in for Dangote refinery to come on stream. But
completed more than one year ago and it is yet Edo State that are supposed to have been if it comes on stream, what is going to be the
to commence operation. functional but they do not have crude oil to difference? I’m made to understand that they
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has process. The two modular refineries in Edo will also buy crude at the international rate,
disclosed that the high cost of aviation fuel State can stop the cabals that are benefitting they will refine it and when this is done at the
popularly known as Jet A1 fuel was a global from petrol imports in Nigeria. Edo modular international rate, we may still buy it at the
crisis affecting countries like America, New refinery will reduce massive imports of imported rate, except there will be some form
Zealand and other developed nations, and not aviation fuel and Premium Motor Spirit, of cost control on this.
a peculiar situation to Nigeria. popularly called petrol, using the United Nigeria is depending heavily on the
The Minister regretted that there is no States dollar, will continue to put pressure on importation of petroleum products, all the
short-term solution because of the variables the naira and cause a further devaluation of refineries are not yet working despite several
involved especially since it is a global problem. the local currency. promises by government that the plants will
According to him, ‘energy crisis is real and it is President Buhari should encourage the start production. The value of the naira is
global. Today, there is an aviation fuel problem completed two modular refineries in Edo depreciating daily, so what do you expect?
all over the world. From America to New State. The two modular refineries in Edo State Nigeria will continue to subsidise petroleum

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