Questions Raised Over NNPCL’s Port Harcourt Refinery Claims Amidst Petrol Shortages

Questions Raised Over NNPCL’s Port Harcourt Refinery Claims Amidst Petrol ShortagesThe recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refining Company is facing significant scrutiny over its operational capacity, following claims that the petroleum products loaded from the facility on Tuesday were not newly refined but rather products stored in its tanks for over three years. This controversy has reignited concerns about the refinery, which has faced repeated delays and missed deadlines, including seven failed attempts to resume operations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, expressed skepticism during an interview on Thursday, challenging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) claims regarding the refinery’s capacity. According to Mgbere, the refinery’s stated 60,000 barrels per day capacity is far from being fully operational, with only a fraction of the facility functioning.

The Alesa community in Eleme, Rivers State, where the refinery is located, has been deeply impacted by the facility’s operations, and Mgbere criticized the recent reopening ceremony as a mere public relations stunt. He noted that despite NNPCL’s assertion that the refinery was producing products at 70% of its installed capacity, the reality on the ground was different.

“On Tuesday, only six trucks of petroleum products were loaded, far below the 200 trucks per day that NNPCL claimed would be dispatched,” Mgbere said. He argued that the NNPCL’s public statements, including claims that the refinery was producing 1.4 million barrels per day, were misleading and contradicted the actual state of the refinery.

Mgbere further suggested that the refinery’s operations were being conducted on a “skeletal” basis, with only some units of the old refinery functional, and many others still non-operational. He also pointed to what he described as “old stock” of petroleum products being released, rather than newly refined products. He explained, “The stock that was released had been stored for over three years, not freshly refined.”

Energy experts echoed Mgbere’s concerns, questioning why the refinery was holding on to products instead of immediately releasing them to the market. Bala Zaka, an energy consultant, pointed out that storing refined products incurs unnecessary costs. He suggested that NNPCL should disclose the source of its feedstock and clarify the operational status of the refinery, especially its distillation points.

Zaka raised further doubts about the refinery’s readiness, asking why there had been no noticeable deliveries of crude oil to the refinery. “How many people saw tankers, rail lines, or pipelines delivering crude? NNPCL should tell us where it got its feedstock and how long the crude supply will continue,” he said.

In contrast, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) expressed cautious optimism about the refinery’s potential. Chinedu Ukadike, IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, said the association would wait until the end of the week before drawing conclusions, as they had yet to see consistent product loading. However, he acknowledged the positive developments at the refinery and expressed hope that the facility would soon meet expectations.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) defended the refinery’s operational status. Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s Publicity Secretary, maintained that the Port Harcourt refinery is indeed functional and operating at 70% capacity, producing 60,000 barrels per day. He encouraged critics to verify the refinery’s claims through a facility tour.

At the same time, the Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) reported positive developments at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, highlighting improved efficiency in the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and better transportation logistics.

While opinions remain divided, the Port Harcourt refinery’s troubled history continues to cast a shadow over the future of Nigeria’s refining sector.

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