The operational status of the Port Harcourt Refinery has become a subject of contention, with local petroleum marketers disputing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's (NNPCL) claims of ongoing maintenance and production activities.
The Eleme & Okrika Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association asserts that the refinery has not been receiving crude oil for over three months, leading to a cessation of operations. They challenge NNPCL's statement that the refinery was active until its shutdown on May 24, 2025, citing a prolonged lack of crude supply as evidence of inactivity.
Contrarily, NNPCL maintains that the refinery is operational, currently functioning at 70% capacity, and producing various petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), kerosene, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The company emphasizes that the rehabilitation efforts are yielding results, with plans to ramp up production to 90% capacity in the near future.
However, reports from local community members and independent investigations suggest that the refinery's operations are not as robust as claimed. Observations indicate that the facility is struggling to load a significant number of trucks daily, with some days seeing as few as six trucks being loaded. Additionally, there are allegations that the refinery is blending stored products with additives to meet supply demands, rather than processing fresh crude oil.
This discrepancy between official statements and on-the-ground reports raises concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of the refinery's rehabilitation process. The situation underscores the need for clear communication and accountability to ensure the refinery meets its intended goals of enhancing Nigeria's domestic fuel production and reducing reliance on imports.
As the debate continues, stakeholders and the public await further clarification on the true state of the Port Harcourt Refinery's operations and the implications for the nation's energy sector.
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