The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced that the rehabilitated old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70 percent of its installed capacity.

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) operates two refineries: the old refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), and a new refinery with an installed capacity of 150,000 bpsd.

In a statement on Tuesday, the energy company stated that it plans to increase operations to 90 percent of the refinery’s capacity.

“The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” the statement reads.

“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.

“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products. For clarity, the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%.”

‘NAPHTHA TO BE BLENDED INTO PETROL’

According to NNPC, the refinery has started producing daily outputs of straight-run petrol (naphtha), which is blended into 1.4 million litres of petrol.

The national oil company also stated that the refinery has begun producing 900,000 litres of kerosene per day and 1.5 million litres per day of diesel.

NNPC further mentioned that 2.1 million litres of low-pour fuel oil (LPFO) will also be produced daily at the refinery, with additional volumes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to be refined at the plant.

“It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications,” NNPC said.

“Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.”

Additionally, NNPC stated that significant progress has been made on the new Port Harcourt refinery, “which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.”

“We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realized under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation,” the company added.

According to the statement, malicious attacks on “clear progress” only undermine the “significant strides made by NNPC Ltd and the country.”

“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector,” the company said.

Earlier today, NNPC confirmed that the refinery officially commenced crude oil processing, resuming the loading of petroleum products into trucks.

Earlier reports had it that NNPC was struggling to finalize the turnaround maintenance at the refinery. According to documents seen by TheCable, one option being considered was retrofitting the refinery into a blending plant.

NOVA Bank has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to safeguarding customer data and digital operations by attaining the globally recognized ISO 27032 Cybersecurity Standard certification. This significant achievement positions NOVA Bank among the elite financial institutions in Nigeria with such a distinction.

The ISO 27032 certification focuses on fortifying cybersecurity measures, ensuring robust protection for data, systems, and online transactions amid an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. In addition to this achievement, NOVA Bank is already certified in ISO 27001 for Information Security Management and BCMS 22301 for Business Continuity Management, further underscoring its dedication to operational excellence and security.

Speaking on the achievement, Acting Managing Director and CEO of NOVA Bank, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, described the certification as a pivotal moment for the Bank and its customers.

“This certification underscores NOVA Bank’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest global standards in cybersecurity. As we continue to innovate with customer-centric retail products, cybersecurity remains at the heart of our operations. Our customers can rest assured that their data and transactions are protected by some of the most advanced security frameworks in the industry. Trust is built on security, and NOVA is committed to providing a secure, reliable, and innovative banking experience,” Mrs Iloghalu stated. The Bank’s Executive Director for Operations and Information Technology, Dr. David Isavwe, who also serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), emphasized the broader implications of the certification.

“The ISO 27032 certification highlights NOVA Bank’s proactive approach to addressing cybersecurity challenges. It demonstrates our readiness to protect against evolving threats and our ability to adapt to the dynamic landscape of digital banking. This certification reinforces our commitment to delivering secure and uninterrupted services to our valued customers,” Dr. Isavwe remarked.

This milestone aligns with NOVA Bank’s overarching strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology with its trademarked Phygital model—seamlessly blending physical and digital banking experiences, while maintaining an unwavering focus on customer trust and satisfaction.

As the bank prepares to launch a series of innovative retail banking products, this certification highlights its dedication to prioritizing cybersecurity, ensuring a secure and seamless banking experience for all its customers.

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has transferred 21 stolen “Sport Utility Vehicles” (SUVs) and other assorted vehicles to the Canadian Government, following their recovery from various locations across the country.

More to come…