The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) is set to undergo a 30-day maintenance shutdown, sparking outrage among fuel marketers and host community stakeholders, Naija Blog Daily has learned.
According to multiple reports, the refinery, which was recently revamped and resumed operations at 70% capacity, is facing internal strife as fuel retailers allege a sabotage plot led by the refinery coordinator, Engr. Bayo Adenrele.
Marketers React to Shutdown Plans
- Fuel retailers from the host communities of Eleme and Okrika claimed the shutdown began on Thursday night, although the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) maintained on Friday that the plant remains operational.
- In a strongly worded joint statement, the Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers of Port Harcourt Refinery Depot accused Engr. Bayo of deliberately crippling the facility to benefit a private refinery. The statement was signed by key leaders, including Sunny Nkpe, Emmanuel Inimgba, Dr. Joseph Obele, Tekena Ikpaiki, and Dickson Obelley.
“Engr. Bayo is acting as an agent of a private refinery, denying the PHRC crude oil and initiating its shutdown,” the group alleged.
They warned that shutting down the 60,000 barrels-per-day capacity refinery could lead to fuel scarcity, higher petrol prices, and worsen Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Allegations of Marginalization and Sabotage
The statement also accused the coordinator of excluding host communities from contracts, empowerment programs, and employment opportunities during the rehabilitation of the refinery.
“Our youths working on the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the refinery risk losing their jobs if this sabotage continues,” they said.
They called for the urgent appointment of a substantive Managing Director for the Port Harcourt refinery to bring stability and oversee ongoing rehabilitation efforts effectively.
The group urged the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and NNPC Group Chief Executive, Bayo Ojulari. They also called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step into the crisis.
NNPC Responds to Shutdown Concerns
Reacting to the allegations, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, denied any sabotage claims, clarifying that the refinery would soon undergo scheduled maintenance to ensure safety and sustainability.
“The refinery remains fully operational. However, we are preparing for a critical safety maintenance exercise expected to last one month. There is adequate stock of diesel (AGO), kerosene, and other refined products to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply,” Soneye said.
DAPPMAN Raises Additional Concerns
Meanwhile, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) stated that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are not yet capable of producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) optimally.
According to DAPPMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, the refineries are currently producing naphtha, not petrol. He noted that marketers would rely on the Dangote Refinery or import petrol under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provisions.
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“We are ready to buy from the Dangote Refinery. But if we can’t, we will import as allowed by law,” Adewole affirmed.
Background: Port Harcourt Refinery’s Rehabilitation
In November 2024, the NNPC announced that the Port Harcourt refinery had resumed operations after years of inactivity. The old refinery, upgraded with modern equipment, was reported to be producing the following:
- 1.5 million litres of diesel daily
- 2.1 million litres of low-pour fuel oil daily
- 1.4 million litres of petrol from naphtha
- 900,000 litres of kerosene
Soneye confirmed that the refinery aims to scale up to 90% capacity in due time.
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