By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Imo State Government says that the Royal Oak Refinery will start production in three years time.

The Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Project Monitoring, Mr. Ben Ekwueme, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists in Owerri.

“Before the end of this year, Imo people will have the good news that the investors are here. The actual length of time before the refinery starts working will be less than three years”, Ekwueme said.

Ekwueme, who doubles as the Project Director of Royal Oak Refinery, said the Project Monitoring Bureau has not relented in ensuring that government projects are completed as specified and on record time.

He described the people of Abacheke,  host to the refinery project, as “very hospitable”, pointing out that most of them had willingly donated their land for the project.

“When the clearing of the land is completed, the Royal Oak Group from the United States of America, would be invited to start the actual building of the infrastructure”, Ekwueme said.

He reassured the citizens that government would complete all the projects it embarked upon, according to the contract specifications.