Port Harcourt — The Port Harcourt Refining Company may be shut down at any moment for a scheduled maintenance exercise expected to last 30 days, NEWS REVIEW has gathered.
While some fuel retailers claimed the refinery was shut down Thursday night, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) maintained the plant remained operational as of Friday.
Fuel marketers in host communities Eleme and Okrika have, however, voiced strong opposition to the proposed shutdown, alleging sabotage by the refinery’s coordinator, Engr. Bayo Adenrele.
In a joint statement signed by key executives of the Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers and PETROAN, the group accused Adenrele of working to cripple the revamped 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery in favor of a private facility.
“The shutdown directive from Engr. Bayo is aimed at denying crude supply to the refinery, leading to its collapse. This will create room for private refineries to dominate the market and worsen fuel prices,” the group said.
The marketers alleged that the shutdown could lead to job losses and further economic hardship. They also accused Adenrele of sidelining host communities during the rehabilitation process, denying them contracts and empowerment opportunities.
“His actions have hindered the full operation of the old refinery’s CRU and are delaying progress in the new plant’s Areas 1, 2, and 3,” the group added, threatening legal resistance if the shutdown proceeds.
They called for Adenrele’s removal and urged the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and the NNPC Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, to urgently intervene. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was also asked to step into the matter.
Meanwhile, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, refuted allegations of sabotage. He confirmed that while the refinery remains operational, a one-month safety maintenance exercise is imminent.
“This maintenance will follow global best practices and ensure sustainable operations. We have enough product stockpiles to prevent fuel scarcity,” Soneye assured.
In November 2024, NNPC announced the partial resumption of operations at the rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery, running at 70% capacity. The plant reportedly produces diesel, low pour fuel oil, kerosene, and blends naphtha into petrol using components from Indorama Petrochemicals.
However, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) recently said NNPC refineries, including Port Harcourt and Warri, are not yet producing petrol optimally.
“Until then, we rely on Dangote Refinery or imports,” DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, stated.
An April report from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicated the refinery was operating below 40% capacity.
As controversy deepens, all eyes are on authorities to prevent a full-blown fuel crisis.
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