The controversy surrounding the Port Harcourt Refinery has deepened, with conflicting reports about its operational status raising questions over the facility’s $1.5 billion rehabilitation project.
Initial reports indicated that the refinery, which resumed operations less than a month ago, had ceased production for the second time. Observers noted that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, was halted as of Thursday, December 19, 2024. Additionally, SaharaReporters disclosed operational inconsistencies, including the use of non-standard blending practices to simulate petrol production.
Reports further claimed that the refinery’s loading bay, previously bustling with activity, was eerily quiet, with stranded tankers observed around the premises. Insiders alleged that the petrol distributed during the refinery’s reopening in November was merely old stock, raising questions about the viability of the facility’s operations.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has strongly refuted these claims in a press release issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye shared on their X handle @nnpclimited.
The statement dismissed reports of a shutdown as “totally false” and affirmed that the refinery remains fully operational.
According to the NNPCL, the facility was recently inspected by former Group Managing Directors, who verified its functionality. The company attributed the reports of a shutdown to individuals seeking to create artificial scarcity and exploit Nigerians. “Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement added.
Despite the NNPCL’s assurances, public skepticism remains high. The refinery’s troubled history and the lack of visible activity at its loading bay have fueled doubts among Nigerians, who have grown weary of repeated unfulfilled promises.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, which was officially reopened on November 26, 2024, was touted as a symbol of hope for Nigeria’s energy independence. The rehabilitation project, approved in March 2021, aimed to revamp the long-dormant facility, but the latest controversy casts a shadow over its effectiveness.
As conflicting narratives unfold, stakeholders and citizens alike are left grappling with concerns about transparency and accountability in the nation’s energy sector.
