By Adelabu JumokeBackbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (BINL) has announced plans to construct and operate a 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) oil refinery at the Sunshine Industrial Park in Ogboti, Eruuna, and the Sunshine Free Trade Zone (FTZ), located in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.In a statement on Wednesday, the company said the project is a joint venture with the Ondo State Government, represented by the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA). The refinery is expected to cost $15 billion, with the first phase scheduled for completion within 48 months.Map of Ondo State Map of Ondo StateBINL also disclosed that it is exploring a partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to support the delivery of the state-of-the-art crude oil refinery.BINL said it would formally execute memoranda of understanding with ONDIPA next following a visit to the State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.BINL’s Vice President for Corporate Services, Mr Wale Adekola, said the BINL refinery will provide petroleum products for local consumption, feedstock for other local industries and petroleum products for the international market.

The refinery project includes the construction of roads, storage tanks, loading bays, terminals and handling equipment. The scope of the Free Trade Zone Project includes the development of the required infrastructure and facilities for the effective operation and management of the Free Trade Zone.