By Eyo Nsima

The construction of Azikel Refinery has reached 39.5 per cent, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR.

In its latest report obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, DPR stated that the plant, located at Obunagha, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has the capacity to refine 12,000 barrels per day, BPD.

Previously, the Media Assistant to the Azikel Group chair, Austin Ebipade, had said: “Piling work is ongoing too. There are over 200 piling spots where the tank farms are to be mounted. The Inside Battery Limit, ISBL, which includes storage facilities, crude processing units, distribution units among others are what is left to be installed anytime soon.

“With the pace at which we are going, our dream of becoming the private refinery to dispense products to the Nigeria market is well and alive and by December we tentatively hope to begin production. However in the worst scenario, if peradventure we can’t roll out our products by December, then in the first quarter of 2019 we will begin.”