By Els William
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the speedy realisation of the proposed 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) modular refinery project at the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), Owaza.
The project, being undertaken by HSI Energies Group, is expected to generate at least 1,000 direct jobs and countless indirect employment opportunities for residents of the state.
Otti Reassures on Industrial Growth
Speaking in Umuahia while receiving a delegation of HSI Energies Group led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ugwumba Okezie Nwosu, Governor Otti said his government had been working to create a conducive business environment for industries to thrive.
He noted that the AIIP, which spans 2,000 hectares of land, has been designated for a gas-powered industrial ecosystem that will host logistics firms, petrochemical plants, fertiliser companies, modular refineries and other clean-energy infrastructure.
“We appreciate the wise decision of HSI Energies to locate this refinery in Abia. The project will contribute significantly to the growth of our economy, and we are fully committed to supporting its realisation,” Otti said.
HSI Energies Outlines Progress
Earlier, Mr. Nwosu briefed the Governor on the company’s activities ahead of construction, disclosing that equity sourcing, debt financing and other preliminary works were already at advanced stages.
He explained that the refinery would be developed in phases, beginning with a 10,000bpd capacity and scaling up to 30,000bpd as crude supply stabilises.
“At 10,000 barrels per day, we are creating about 1,000 direct jobs, with immense indirect opportunities. When we reach 30,000 barrels per day, the figure rises to 3,000 direct jobs,” Nwosu said.
He added that the project would attract about $300 million in foreign direct investment and boost Abia’s internally generated revenue by an estimated $68 million annually once fully scaled.
Economic Impact
Industry watchers note that beyond creating jobs, the modular refinery is set to deepen local refining capacity, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and strengthen energy security in Nigeria. For Abia, the refinery could become a major anchor for industrialisation, drawing allied businesses into the state’s innovation park while improving fiscal stability through expanded tax revenues.
Nwosu also commended the Otti administration for constructing an access road to the site and assured that construction work would begin in the first quarter of 2026.
Present at the meeting were the Commissioners for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna; Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu; and other senior aides of the Governor.