By Charles Kumolu

A NIGERIAN businessman, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, has signed a contract for the construction of a refinery in Bayelsa State with a Houston Texas-based group, Ventech Engineering LLC.

Eruani, who is the Group President of Azikel Group, signed the contract on behalf of Azikel Petroleum alongside the Director of Investment and Strategy, Mr. Richard Howarth.

The Executive Director Operations of Azikel, Mr. Presley Asemota, said the contract was for the construction of a 12,000 BPSD Hydro-skyming refinery which is expected to commence production in 2018.

Azikel Refinery is among the 22 licensed private refineries approved by President Mohammad Buhari in 2015.