The Director General of the Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, Comrade Robert Igali JP, has applauded the Group President of Azikel Group, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless CFR, for achieving remarkable progress on the company’s modular hydro-skimming refinery project. Igali noted that the 12,000 barrels-per-day facility, now at 87 percent completion, represents a major industrial breakthrough for Bayelsa, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria as a whole.
Igali made the remarks on Monday when he joined Dr. Eruani in receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan GCFR during a tour of the Azikel Group’s facilities. The visit commenced at the company’s corporate headquarters in Swali, Yenagoa, where the management team unveiled two newly acquired helicopters — a Bell 505 and an Alpha 2025 Augusta 109 SP Elite Configuration — designed to enhance operational logistics and efficiency.
Following the presentation, the delegation undertook an inaugural flight to the Azikel Refinery site for an on-the-spot inspection. The assessment revealed substantial progress on what is the first and only condensate hydro-skimming refinery in the African sub-region. The project’s scale and advanced stage drew commendations from both Igali and the visiting dignitaries.
According to Igali, once operational, the refinery will produce approximately five million litres of premium petroleum products daily. These will include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), aviation fuel, and heavy fuel oil. He emphasized that this positions the facility alongside the Dangote Refinery as one of only two in Nigeria capable of producing PMS along with a comprehensive range of other petroleum products.
He highlighted the economic implications of the project, stressing that it will significantly boost Bayelsa State’s internally generated revenue, create job opportunities for young people, and stimulate local enterprise. Igali added that the refinery will strengthen the economic base of the Niger Delta, enabling sustainable growth for the region.
The Director General praised Dr. Eruani for his vision, patriotism, and resilience in pursuing a project of such magnitude. He noted that the refinery’s completion will enhance Nigeria’s energy security by reducing dependency on imported refined petroleum products and ensuring a stable supply to the domestic market.
“This project is a game-changer,” Igali said, describing it as a symbol of industrial innovation and determination. “What Dr. Eruani is doing not only benefits Bayelsa but also positions Nigeria as a stronger player in Africa’s energy sector.”
The visit by former President Jonathan underscored the national significance of the refinery, which has been widely anticipated as a catalyst for economic diversification in the oil-rich state. By integrating modern technology, logistical support infrastructure, and a broad production capacity, the Azikel Refinery is expected to redefine local refining operations.
Stakeholders in the region have hailed the project as a practical step toward addressing long-standing energy supply challenges in Nigeria. Many believe that with the refinery’s near completion, Bayelsa is on the verge of emerging as a key hub for petroleum refining and distribution in West Africa.
As the project moves towards final stages, the anticipation among residents, investors, and policymakers continues to grow, with many viewing it as a model for private-sector-led industrial transformation in the country. The combination of strategic vision, technical capacity, and economic potential has positioned the Azikel Refinery as one of the most impactful infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s recent history.
