A Chinese firm, Sino Arab Energy, SAE, in partnership with a local firm,
Osabo Refining and Petrochemical Industry Limited, have concluded plans
to build a refinery in Akabuyo, Local Government Area of Cross River
State.
Agreement s for the construction of the refinery which is expected to
refine 107,000 barrel of crude per day have been signed by the
partnering firms, and is valued at about $7.5billion.
Speaking on the project, Hon Etim Effiong Okon, who is a member of the
management team of Osabo Refining, said the process for the procurement
of requisite licenses to establish and operate the refinery had fully
commenced, while Akwa Esuk Eyamba, the community where the refinery will
be located had donated 500 hectares of land for the refinery.
Okon, who represents Akpabuyo constituency in the state House of
Assembly, also said the project partners will engage in the acquisition,
exploration and development of oil blocks in the future, to complement
refining operations.
He further revealed that the partners will also engage in the
development of independent power plant, and the production of natural
gas and oil; and real estate within the Niger Delta region as well as
the West African Continental shelf.
According to the lawmaker, the refinery is expected to be completed
within five years, with the first phase slated to commence in 2014,
while the feedstock for the refinery would come from the several Niger
Delta basin oil wells.
“Other areas of activities include but not limited to gathering and the
treatment of gas, establishment of industries and co-generation,” he
said.
Okon said the refinery would be built with stringent specification to
meet international standard and its “product base will include Premium
Motor Spirit, PMS, Kerosine, jet fuel, diesel,. Gasoline, automotive gas
oil, AGOP, low pour fuel oil, LPFOP, High pour fuel oil, HPFO, boat
fuel, motor oil, lubricants, liquefied petroleum gas, LPG.”
He said that over 10,000 jobs would be generated when the projects are
completed and fully operational, adding that these will significantly
improve the lives and socioeconomic well being of not only people in
Cross River State, but the entire Niger Delta region and beyond.
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