FG will reintegrate modular refineries

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Eta Enang said the federal government will reintegrate modular refineries into the mainstream refineries for the benefit of the country.

Enang disclosed this in Abuja when he paid a working visit to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu in his office, a statement from the ministry said on Monday.

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According to him, Nigeria cannot longer afford to pay subsidies on petroleum importation, hence the need to look inward.

“Refining of crude oil has to be done  locally to reduce foreign exchange and import duties,” he said.

Responding to Enang, Onu said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would further be increased through the application of Science, Technology and Innovation to the natural resources and products abundant in the nation.

He said the ministry has enunciated policies like the Executive Order 05, which is centered on giving preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts.

The policy he added, placed premium on the use of indigenous professionals and firms in the design and execution of projects involving national security.

In the same vein, he added that, the National Strategy for Competiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria, was designed to provide a permanent strategic framework to help the country overcome the burden of a mono-product economy.

The policy, he added, is therefore targeted at enhancing national capacity, to produce globally acceptable quality raw materials, products, and services as a way to achieve self-reliance.

Onu further said  the Federal Government would continue to support the development of Artisanal Refineries (Modular Refineries), as this will help the country to generate more revenue, benefit more from the by-products of crude oil and develop the manufacturing capacity.