Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the timely completion of the proposed 10,000 barrels-per-day modular refinery at the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
Speaking during a meeting with the management of HSI Energies Group, the firm handling the project, Governor Otti commended the company for the progress made in sourcing equity and financing for the refinery’s development.
The governor described the AIIP—covering about 2,000 hectares of land—as a future industrial hub designed to host energy, petrochemical, housing, and logistics ventures. He assured the investors of government’s continued support, highlighting the newly completed access road to the site as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
HSI Energies Chief Executive Officer, Ugwumba Okezie Nwosu, outlined the company’s implementation strategy. He explained that the refinery would begin with a 10,000 barrels per day capacity, creating about 1,000 direct jobs, and later expand to 30,000 barrels per day, with up to 3,000 direct jobs and additional indirect employment opportunities.
Nwosu further disclosed that the project could generate up to $68 million in annual tax revenue at the initial stage and attract over $300 million in foreign direct investments when fully scaled.
Construction of the refinery is expected to commence in early 2026, with completion targeted within the same year.
Present at the briefing were state officials, including the Commissioners for Petroleum and Finance.
