Marketers Claim No Ongoing Maintenance at Port Harcourt Refinery Amid Conflicting Reports

 

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), one of Nigeria’s key state-owned oil refineries, has recently become the focus of controversy following conflicting reports about its operational status. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) announced a planned 30-day maintenance shutdown aimed at improving the refinery’s performance, several local fuel marketers have disputed these claims, insisting that no maintenance work is currently taking place. This disagreement has raised broader questions about the management, transparency, and functionality of the refinery, with significant implications for Nigeria’s fuel supply and downstream petroleum sector.

The NNPCL, the parent company overseeing PHRC operations, officially declared on May 24, 2025, that the Port Harcourt refinery would be shut down for a one-month maintenance exercise. According to the corporation, this planned maintenance is essential for conducting sustainability assessments, repairing equipment, and enhancing operational efficiency to ensure the refinery can meet its production targets. The announcement was met with cautious optimism by some industry watchers who hope that such interventions will address chronic issues that have plagued Nigerian refineries for decades.

However, the announcement has been met with skepticism by some marketers and industry insiders, particularly those operating in Rivers State and the surrounding region where PHRC is located. These marketers claim that, contrary to the official statement, there is no evidence of active maintenance taking place at the refinery site. Several of them assert that the refinery has not been producing fuel for months prior to the scheduled shutdown, leading to doubts about the timing and necessity of the maintenance announcement. This situation has contributed to growing uncertainty within the petroleum retail sector, especially among stakeholders who rely heavily on PHRC’s output to meet regional fuel demand.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), representing many marketers, has publicly expressed concerns over the situation. PETROAN has urged the NNPCL to be transparent about the refinery’s operational status and to strictly adhere to the 30-day timeline for the maintenance shutdown to prevent prolonged fuel shortages. The association emphasized the need for clear communication and regular progress updates on the maintenance activities, arguing that transparency would build trust among marketers and consumers alike. PETROAN also warned that any delays or mismanagement could exacerbate the existing challenges in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, leading to increased prices and possible rationing.

These conflicting reports come against the backdrop of a long history of challenges faced by Nigeria’s refining sector. Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has struggled to maintain steady fuel production from its four state-owned refineries, including PHRC, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), and the newly commissioned Dangote refinery. Frequent breakdowns, inadequate maintenance, poor funding, and management inefficiencies have often rendered these refineries unable to meet domestic fuel needs. Consequently, Nigeria has remained heavily reliant on fuel imports, costing the country billions of dollars annually and exposing it to global market volatility.

The controversy around PHRC’s maintenance adds another layer to concerns about the governance of the refining sector. Some analysts suggest that announcements of planned maintenance may sometimes be used to mask deeper systemic problems such as underperformance or mismanagement. The marketers’ claims that the refinery was non-operational before the announced shutdown could indicate that PHRC is facing structural challenges beyond routine repairs. This perception underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform, increased transparency, and robust oversight of refinery operations to restore public confidence and improve performance.

In response to the public debate, NNPCL has maintained that the maintenance exercise is both necessary and ongoing, aimed at improving the refinery’s capacity to refine crude oil efficiently and produce the required volume of petroleum products. The corporation insists that it remains committed to restoring the refinery to full operational status within the stipulated timeframe and minimizing disruption to fuel supply in the region.

The situation at PHRC highlights broader issues confronting Nigeria’s energy sector, including infrastructure decay, inadequate investment in maintenance, and the need for private sector participation and technological upgrades. Addressing these challenges is critical for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports, stabilizing domestic fuel prices, and achieving energy security.

Moreover, the controversy emphasizes the importance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement in managing expectations and mitigating anxieties among marketers, consumers, and industry players. Clear and transparent dissemination of information regarding refinery activities, timelines, and expected outcomes would help align all parties and foster a cooperative environment conducive to long-term solutions.

In conclusion, the conflicting claims about ongoing maintenance at the Port Harcourt Refinery reflect the complexity of Nigeria’s refining challenges. While the government and NNPCL have articulated plans for a maintenance shutdown intended to enhance refinery performance, skepticism from marketers about the actual state of operations points to deeper concerns about transparency and efficiency. To move forward, it is imperative for all stakeholders to prioritize open communication, implement rigorous maintenance and operational protocols, and explore reforms that can sustainably boost refinery output. The future of Nigeria’s fuel supply and the stability of its petroleum sector depend heavily on resolving these issues effectively.

 

As the maintenance period unfolds, all eyes will be on PHRC and NNPCL to demonstrate tangible progress and to provide credible updates that reassure the market and the public. Ultimately, revitalizing Nigeria’s refining industry is not just about infrastructure repairs but about restoring confidence in the sector’s ability to meet the nation’s energy needs reliably and efficiently.