Niger Delta
‘Amakpe Refinery Requires N3bn For Completion’
The Management of Amakpe Refinery in Eket, Akwa Ibom, says about N3.14 billion was required to complete the project and begin operation.
Chief Usua Amanam, the Chief Executive Officer, said that the amount included funds that would be used to procure initial stock of crude oil for the first three months of operation.
Amanam, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Eket, disclosed that all fabrication on the refinery had been completed and ready for installation.
He explained that the project suffered setbacks when the Akwa Ibom Government withdrew part of its equity capital, reducing its stake in the refinery from about N1.5 billion to about 981.5 million.
He explained that the partial divestment by the state government slowed down work on the project and resulted in accumulated interests on the loan capital standing at N58.9 million per quarter.
He, however, said that the Akwa-Ibom government still held 25 percent equity in the $51.9 million (about N7.83 billion) refinery project.
Amanam reiterated that the management of the refinery was committed to the completion and subsequent commencement of refining activities at the 12,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) capacity facility, in spite of funding challenges.
He said that when completed, the refinery would create more than 1,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs in the state.
“The facility will also help in the development of associated downstream petrochemical projects that will further enhance the economy of the state,” he added.
He appealed to the state government to have a rethink on its divestment from the project, saying the action was capable of discouraging private investors to inject additional capital into the project.
Amanam said that a consortium of Nigerian banks led by Sterling Bank and Bank of Industry had accepted to finance the completion of the refinery.
Gov. Godswill Akpabio, had at a business forum in the United States, in August, charged promoters of the refinery to complete the project or refund the state government’s investment in it.
The refinery project is on the public-private partnership model between the state and private entrepreneurs from the state and financial institutions.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.