The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced yesterday that it has granted an additional license for 5,000 barrels per day to Waltersmith, situated in Ibigwe, Imo State.

In a statement shared on its X handle, the regulatory body indicated that this approval pertains to the second phase of the plant's development, with the subsequent phase set to commence in 2025.

The modular refinery, which currently has a production capacity of 5,000 barrels per day achieved during Phase 1, is undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 10,000 barrels per day, with plans to ultimately reach 40,000 barrels per day in the near future.

“Today, the Authority granted a License to Construct (LTC) of Phase 2 to Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited.

“Authority Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, stated that Waltersmith operates a topping plant refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State,-with a capacity of 5,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD). This plant produces AGO, DPK, HPFO, and Naphtha.

“The refinery is expected to be commissioned by Q3 2025, and that the refinery plans to expand to Phase 3 immediately after,” he stated.

The article also referenced Muhammad Musa, the Managing Director of Waltersmith, who emphasized that this milestone will enable the company to double its existing capacity.

Musa acknowledged the support from both the Waltersmith and NMDPRA teams and remarked that this accomplishment demonstrates the government's trust in their abilities.

“The company assures Nigerians of its dedication to finding new ways to contribute value to the country,” the NMDPRA noted in the message.

The federal government has officially launched the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

This group will oversee the effective utilization, implementation, and establishment of Gas Power Projects within local government areas nationwide.

During the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, Permanent Secretary Nicholas Ella emphasized the NDE’s commitment to vocational skills development, which is a fundamental aspect of the NGEP’s Gas-preneurship initiative.

He elaborated that this initiative, crafted by NGEP, covers all facets of the gas value chain, including exploration, production, transmission, and distribution.

The TWG will spearhead the execution of this initiative, encouraging collaboration among NGEP, NDE, and ALGON to enhance gas-driven economic growth and create job opportunities in local communities.

“The comprehensive training component covers:- Entire gas streams and operating principles- audit of machinery and equipment types and capacity for suitable system installation and calibration,” he stated.

The Gaspreneurship Initiative will culminate in the distribution of starter packs that include diagnostic tools and equipment, as well as the identification of suitable workshops and business incubation centers across local government areas nationwide.

This initiative aims to empower trainee gaspreneurs to become employers upon their graduation, as stated by the speaker.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the NGEP, ALGON, and NDE Technical Working Group (TWG) encompass identifying specific intervention areas within the gas value chains that can enhance the socio-economic conditions of the local government areas.

Additionally, the group will develop a straightforward energy audit template to assess the energy needs of these areas and establish criteria for selecting local governments to engage in various phases of the initiative's implementation.

The TWG comprises members from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NDE, and ALGON, including the Chairman of NGEP, Prof. M. M. Ibrahim, and Assistant Director (Information) Mr. Christopher Ugwuegbulam, among others.