Cue: Nigeria’s drive to strengthen domestic refining capacity has received a boost with the expanded Waltersmith modular refinery at Ohaji- Egbema, Imo State doubling its capacity to 10,000 Barrels Per Day, while Planning a 30,000 Barrels Per Day Condensate Plant.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB), Felix Omatsola Ogbe joined the Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Saidu Mohammed to assess the
facility’s newly completed expansion, which has increased its refining capacity from 5,000 barrels per day to 10,000 barrels per day.
NCDMB had earlier invested equity in the refinery owned by Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited in 2018, helping to catalyse the project that led to the commissioning of the plant’s first phase in November 2020.
The refinery now produces Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), Household Kerosene, Heavy Fuel Oil and Naphtha, and has supplied more than 1.1 billion litres of refined petroleum products to markets across Nigeria and parts of West Africa.
Representing the Executive Secretary during the visit, the Director of Legal Services at NCDMB, Naboth Onyesoh described the refinery as a strong example of local content development through job creation, industrialisation, import substitution and value addition to Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. According to him, the project has strengthened energy security while boosting economic activity in the South-East and South-South regions.
Chairman, Waltersmith Petroman, Abdulrazak Isa said the company is planning further expansion with a proposed 30,000 barrels-per-day condensate refinery and an industrial park powered by a dedicated gas pipeline expected to deliver 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
The planned development, expected to secure partnership agreements by the fourth quarter of 2026, will support petrochemical production and attract gas-based industries, while regulators have pledged support to accelerate approvals and growth in Nigeria’s midstream sector.
