Lobito — The Vice-president of the Republic, Manuel Vicente, laid on Monday the first stone for the construction of the future Lobito refinery, in an ceremony witnessed by the governor of the central Benguela province, Armando da Cruz Neto, ministers of Oil, Transports, Energy and Water, Finance, Environment and Construction.

The ceremony was preceded by the technical presentation of the project and bless to the undertaking by the Emeritus bishop of Benguela, Don Óscar Braga.

After the formal act, the Vice-president said that the project is a great benchmark and it will contribute to the economic growth of Angola.

"We congratulate the sector, company and Executive. We will do our best to materialize this great undertaking and come here in order to inaugurate it", said Manuel Vicente.

The project, based in Quileva hill, along the coastline, 10 kilomentres away from Lobito city, will enable the supply of by-products of oil to all Angolan provinces and neighbouring countries.

The future refinery, aimed to end with fuel imports and aggregate the crude oil produced Angola, will process about 200.000 barrels per day and will generate 10.000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase of the infrastructure.