The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has once again confirmed that the state-owned old Port Harcourt refinery is fully operational.
Olufemi Soneye, the head of corporate communications for NNPC, made the statement on Saturday in Abuja, addressing recent media reports claiming that the refinery had shut down shortly after resuming operations two months ago.
Soneye refuted these claims, emphasizing that the refinery’s operational status had been verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.
“The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.
“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC. Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” Soneye said.
He also dismissed the false reports as an attempt to create unnecessary panic and artificially inflate fuel prices.
“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians,” he added.
Controversies surrounding the Port Harcourt refinery
The Port Harcourt refinery has faced several controversies since it resumed operations two months ago.
Some critics have accused the refinery of not refining crude oil but rather blending naphtha with crack 5 to produce substandard motor spirit.
Others have questioned the refinery’s operational status, prompting NNPC to invite stakeholders to the site for verification.
In response to the blending of naphtha with crack 5, NNPC clarified that such practices are common across refineries globally.
Despite recent reports claiming the refinery has shut down, NNPC has once again rejected these claims, reiterating that the refinery remains in full operation.
