As Nigerians continue to grapple with the high cost of petroleum products across the country, a new locally fabricated refinery being developed in Delta State is expected to significantly boost domestic supply and help stabilize fuel prices.
The Ebenco Modular Refinery, a 30,000 barrels-per-day facility located in Koko, Delta State, is projected to commence operations later this year. Industry stakeholders believe the project could contribute to easing pressure on Nigeria’s fuel market by increasing local refining capacity and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.
The refinery, built by Nigerian-owned engineering firm Ebenco Global Link Ltd., is notable for being described as the first fully locally fabricated refinery in Nigeria’s history, a milestone many say highlights the growing technical capabilities within the country’s oil and gas sector.
During an official inspection visit to the facility, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, commended the progress of the project and acknowledged its potential importance to Nigeria’s energy security and local supply chain.
Lokpobiri was received by Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco, who led the minister and his team on a tour of the refinery site.
Officials say that once operational, the refinery is expected to contribute to improving the availability of refined petroleum products, stabilizing market prices, and strengthening Nigeria’s domestic energy infrastructure.
With fuel prices remaining a major concern for many Nigerians, industry observers believe projects such as the Ebenco refinery could mark an important step toward reducing the country’s long-standing dependence on imported fuel and building a more resilient local refining capacity.
The development has also been widely viewed as a significant achievement for indigenous engineering, with many highlighting the refinery as an example of what Nigerian expertise can accomplish within the nation’s oil and gas industry.
