The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has received a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) for its proposed Oredo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited in Edo State.
The certificate was presented to Alhaji Mumuni Dagazau, Executive Vice President, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., during a courtesy visit to the Edo State Government House in Benin City on Friday.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Dagazau commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s commitment to providing the land and necessary documentation for the project.
He said the proposed refinery aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on strengthening domestic energy security, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and increasing local value addition.
Dagazau said, “The project will strengthen Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and create opportunities across the downstream petroleum value chain.
“It would generate employment, promote technology transfer, encourage local participation and support industrial development in Edo.”
He assured the state government that NNPC Ltd. would work closely with it and other stakeholders to provide the necessary support for the successful completion of the project.
He described the presentation of the certificate as a demonstration of Okpebholo’s commitment to attracting productive investments to the state.
Dagazau expressed confidence that the project would contribute to Edo’s economic growth and Nigeria’s energy security, while demonstrating the benefits of collaboration between government and investors.
Presenting the certificate, Okpebholo expressed delight at the NNPC delegation’s visit and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting investments in the state.
He said the provision of land for the project was part of his administration’s efforts to attract investors, increase revenue and create employment opportunities.
According to him, the refinery would expand Edo’s commercial base and deliver economic benefits to residents.
Okpebholo assured NNPC Ltd. of the state government’s readiness to support the investment, adding that the project would contribute significantly to Edo’s development.
The event was attended by top government functionaries and members of the NNPC delegation, including Ikedichi Dick-Nwoke, Chief Downstream Investment Officer; Adaobi Oniwinde, Senior Communications Adviser; and Valentine Marinho, Senior Business Analyst to the Executive Vice President, Downstream, among others.
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