… Delta govt to participate in equity shares

By Ochuko Akuopha

MANAGING Director and CEO of Onose Deep Oil and Gas Limited, Chief Jim  Elueni, has expressed optimism that major construction work on the Onose Modular Refinery, Omavovwe, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of  Delta State, would commence in November, 2024.

Elueni who disclosed this during the equity participation visit of Permanent Secretary, Mr. Frank Omoko and officials of the Delta State Ministry of Oil and Gas, said the decision to kick start  the construction in the month of November 2024,  was due to the raining season.

He noted that once the Onose Modular Refinery Limited commences operations, some of the challenges of petroleum production in Nigeria would come to an end as the modular refinery has the capacity to refine 60,000 bpd of crude oil.

 “The challenges we face on a daily basis due to petroleum production in Nigeria will surly come to an end, that we assure” Elueni said,  disclosing that foreign Technical / Financial Partners had visited Omavwowe Community some years ago.

According to him, “Onose refinery is equally into partnership with NNPC, Green Fields and NCDMB as we speak. We have carefully considered the choice of inviting Delta State in equity participation, which is the main reason for this visit.

“There are grand benefits of establishing this 60,000 bpd modular crude Oil Refinery and it out weigh any inconveniences that we are currently passing through.”

He assured that the refinery would employ young graduates “and create much more employment opportunity for all level of people in Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

We shall support the Delta state Government in various ways.

Youth restiveness in the state will be a thing of the past when they are gainfully employed.”

He further stated that when completed, the Onose Modular Refinery would provide electricity to the host community and its  environs.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Oil and Gas, Mr. Frank Omoko said, their visit was to verify the facts presented by the Onose refinery project team to the Ministry to enable them give detailed report to the State Governor.

On his part, President General of Omavovwe Community, Mr. Awarivwogho Roland Obakpororo, thanked Onose Deep Oil & Gas Limited for the huge investment, appealing to the state government through the ministry of Oil and Gas to speed up the  process of the actualization of the modular refinery.

He said the rate of unemployment in the area would reduce drastically when the refinery commences operations.