Abia govt. still considering proposals for modular refinery — Commissioner

Refinery
By Leonard Okachie
Umuahia, Jan. 30, 2019 (NAN) Mr Chizuru Kalu, Commissioner for Petroleum Resources in Abia, said that the state government was still considering proposals from different firms for the establishment of a modular refinery in the state.
Kalu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Umuahia.
He said that the ministry had received many proposals and was trying to accomplish its own due diligence.
“Very soon we will have the ground-breaking because we have received so many proposals and we are considering them.
“Already there is a draft memo and very soon we will send one of the proposals to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice for his input,” he said.
The commissioner further said that the ministry had, in partnership with the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), engaged a group to explore the oil mineral deposits in Ukwa West Local Government Area (LGA).
He also gave an update on the work of the state government’s committee of enquiry on the NNPC pipeline fire in Osisioma Local Government Area of the state in October 2018.
Kalu, who is a member of the committee, said it had made meaningful progress.
“We started public hearing a few days ago.We have also visited the scene,” he said, adding that some of the survivors had appeared before the committee.
He said that the report of the committee would soon be ready for submission to the state government.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pipeline fire left hundreds of lives in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities dead. (NAN)
LEO/MAM/USO
(Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Sam Oditah)