In a significant boost to Nigeria's petroleum sector, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), conducted an official inspection of Ebenco Global Link Limited's ongoing 30,000 barrels-per-day modular refinery project in Koko, Delta State. The visit, which took place on November 26, 2025, highlighted the project's alignment with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope agenda and its potential to combat illegal refining activities.

During the tour, Minister Lokpobiri expressed strong satisfaction with the progress, particularly noting the refinery's fully indigenous design and fabrication. He described the initiative as a landmark achievement in local content development, stating that it represents a practical solution to pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

“Producing modular refineries locally is one of the solutions to pipeline vandalisation that is going on by those who want to do illegal refining. When Ebenco modular is completed, we want to see how this could be replicated in collaboration with stakeholders so that those who are breaking pipelines don’t need to break pipeline. They need to just acquire this (modular refinery) and if they don’t have money we will see how we can procure them. And then they will pay back in over a period of time.”

The Minister emphasized the government's commitment to supporting such projects, pledging to involve the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for further assessment and potential partnerships. He added that modular refineries, when executed with strong governance and local fabrication, provide a win-win scenario by creating sustainable employment, ensuring tax payments, and reducing the incentives for illegal activities.

“By the time we come up with this solution, they will buy the crude, pay taxes, we will have sustainable employment for them and at the end of the day, it will be win-win for everybody.”

Dr. Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga, Chief Executive Officer of Ebenco Group, outlined the company's phased approach to the project during the visit. He explained that operations would commence stage by stage, beginning with an initial capacity of 5,000 barrels per day before scaling up to full production.

“We are taking this stage by stage. For now, we are starting with 5,000 barrels steamed per day. Beyond refining petroleum products, the project is expected to catalyse jobs, deepen local content and materially reduce the incentives that drive illegal bunkering once full operations commence.”

The Minister praised Ebenco's partnership with international entities to domesticate advanced technology while maintaining global standards. He noted, “This is what other countries do, you acquire technology and then domesticate it. You bring it home... I am very impressed with what I am seeing.”

This high-level engagement underscores the government's push for indigenous energy infrastructure development. The Ebenco project is expected to ease fuel supply shortages, stimulate employment in Delta State, and contribute to broader national goals of energy security and economic self-reliance. As construction nears completion, the Minister has pledged to return for the official commissioning, signaling strong federal backing for this innovative venture.