“Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, has granted authorization for the selection of Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), a role she will hold for a four-year term.
As per a statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President for Media & Publicity, following the departure of Adebayo Fagbemi, the initial MD/CEO of NELMCO, on May 8th, 2023, Mojoyinoluwa Dekalu-Thomas has been fulfilling this role in an interim capacity. Her recent official appointment to this position has created a vacancy in her former role as Executive Director of Liability Management, owing to her prior temporary role.
In light of this, Dimla Joel Nchinney has been designated by President Tinubu to serve as the substantive Executive Director, Liability Management, at NELMCO.
These appointments are effective immediately.
According to Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), the Port Harcourt Refinery (PHRC) is projected to be operational by December 2023. This update was conveyed through a press release signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, on a late Friday.”
The new Minister, while conducting an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the PHRC Ltd. facility, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to halt petroleum product imports. The government is intensifying efforts to restore the nation’s local refining capability.
“Given the substantial progress achieved in the PHRC rehabilitation project, the plant is projected to resume operations by December this year,” he stated.
Lokpobiri noted that the collective aim of the stakeholders’ visit to the facility is to ensure that within the next few years, Nigeria ceases fuel imports.
“Based on what we have observed today, the Port Harcourt Refinery will be operational by year-end, the Warri Refinery will be operational by the end of the first quarter of next year, and the Kaduna Refinery will also be up and running towards the close of next year. When you factor in the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to put an end to fuel imports, enabling Nigerians to fully reap the benefits of deregulation,” the Minister remarked.
Expressing his contentment with the ongoing rehabilitation at the Port Harcourt refinery, the Minister stated that once all refineries are operational, Nigerians will experience improved petroleum product supply. This, in turn, will localize foreign exchange and contribute to a stronger economy.
Meanwhile, Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd., reiterated that rejuvenating the refineries to their optimal levels is a national aspiration, and the Company is unwavering in its commitment to achieve this goal.
“We acknowledge the challenges in our nation’s fuel supply. However, we are resolute in delivering this rehabilitation project, revitalizing our other two refineries, and all our investments aimed at boosting the nation’s refining capacity. We hold the hope that by 2024, Nigeria will transition into being a net exporter of petroleum products,” Kyari affirmed.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, also chimed in, explaining, “Our purpose for being here is to be in the field. In the past, subsidies were the norm. Now, subsidies are absent. People are currently in dire need of relief and solutions. It’s common knowledge that petrol plays a crucial role in our economy. It’s imperative for everyone to contribute to getting the refineries operational.”
