The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari on Monday pledged to reactivate all four refineries before the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

Kyari, who made the pledge at the NNPC amphitheater in Abuja shortly after taking the baton from Dr. Makanti Baru also pledged his readiness to work towards the delivery of the Dangote Refinery by the first quarter of next year.

The NNPC GMD said he plans to ensure that Nigeria achieves its production target of three million barrels per day and also grow its reserve to 40 million barrels.

The four refineries: Port Harcourt Refinery and Petrochemical Company(1 & 2), Warri Refinery & Petrochemical Company and Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company have installed capacity to produce 445,000 barrels per day but have been far from producing optimally over the years.

“It is the intention of NNPC to support the industry to make sure we achieve production level of three million barrels per day and grow our reserves to at least 40 million barrels. We will achieve this and it is possible. I have already set the time for it. We will do it before 2023.

“There is a legitimate expectation from Nigerians that why can we be oil producing country with four refineries and yet importing sometimes 100% of our requirement.

“I will follow it up to make sure that before the life of this administration expires, before Baba’s (President Muhammadu) tenure ends in 2023, we will deliver on the four refineries,” he said. 

Kyari added that the NNPC under him will encourage private sector participation in revamping the refineries and support the Dangote Refinery to make sure they come on stream within the shortest time possible.