Abuja – The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has granted a licence to Process Design and Development Limited for the establishment of a new refinery in Gombe State.
The facility, designed with a capacity to process 27,000 barrels per day (BPD), will be situated in Dole-Wure, Akko Local Government Area. The announcement was made by the regulatory authority on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, signaling a strategic step in bolstering Nigeria’s refining capacity.
During the licence presentation, the Authority Chief Executive commended the initiative, noting its potential to contribute to Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth. “The refinery will significantly enhance the nation’s downstream sector while creating job opportunities in the region,” he said.
Boost to Refining Capacity Amid Challenges
This new licence brings the total number of modular and conventional refineries in Nigeria to approximately ten. However, while the addition strengthens Nigeria’s refining infrastructure on paper, many existing refineries remain underutilized or non-operational, raising questions about the sector’s overall efficiency.
Corporate Profile
A background check conducted via NG.Checks revealed that Process Design and Development Limited is registered in Kano under company registration number 487883. The company’s board includes notable directors such as Adamu U. Sanda, Abdulkadir Umar, Umar S. Umar, and Bashir Umar, whose combined expertise is expected to drive the project’s success.
Strategic Significance
The refinery’s location in Gombe State is a strategic move to enhance industrial development in northern Nigeria, aligning with federal efforts to ensure equitable regional economic distribution.
As the nation continues to grapple with fuel import dependency, this project represents a significant stride towards self-sufficiency in petroleum product refining. Stakeholders will be keenly watching the progress of this development to assess its impact on the energy sector and broader economy.
Stay tuned for updates on this story as The Bureau Newspaper continues to provide in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s energy landscape.