NNPCL Declines to Set Completion Date for $741 Million Kaduna Refinery Rehabilitation

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refrained from providing a specific timeline for completing the $741 million Quick Fix Project at the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), raising questions about the project’s status.

Previously, KRPC Managing Director Dr. Mustafa Sugungun had assured stakeholders that the rehabilitation, awarded to South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction, would be completed by the end of 2024. The project aims to restore the refinery’s 110,000 barrels-per-day capacity to at least 60% operational efficiency.

However, during the commissioning of community development projects in Kaduna, including the renovation of Rido Community Primary School and a solar-powered borehole, Dr. Sugungun did not confirm if the 2024 target remains achievable. Representing him, Operations Manager Mr. Emmanuel Ajiboye emphasized the economic benefits of the Quick Fix Project, including job creation and local business support, but provided no update on the project’s timeline.

Progress and Clarifications

NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye addressed speculations about a definitive December 2024 completion date, stating, “The project is progressing steadily within the agreed scope of work. The final completion date will depend on the resolution of any additional work identified during third-party inspections of critical equipment. Once determined, the date will be communicated.”

Community Engagement

NNPCL has paired the refinery project with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at supporting host communities. These include school renovations, borehole installations to address water shortages, youth empowerment, rural electrification, and medical outreach programs.

KRPC has called on the Rido community to support the Quick Fix Project, stressing its potential to bolster local development and improve relations between the refinery and its host communities.

National Significance

The rehabilitation of the dormant Kaduna refinery is vital for Nigeria’s efforts to reduce its dependency on imported petroleum products. However, the lack of a definitive timeline for completion underscores the challenges facing the project and raises concerns about the nation’s refining capacity.