PETROAN Tackles NNPC Over Port Harcourt Refinery Delay

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed deep concern over the persistent delays in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to provide a definitive timeline for the project’s completion.

Despite multiple assurances from NNPC, the 210,000 barrels-per-day capacity refinery in Alesa-Eleme has missed several deadlines, exacerbating Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products and contributing to fuel price volatility. While the smaller 60,000 barrels-per-day section of the refinery has resumed operations, the larger facility remains non-operational without a clear commissioning date.

PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, highlighted the economic implications of the delay, noting that the completion of the refinery would significantly reduce transportation costs for petroleum products, particularly benefiting the System 2E region, which encompasses about 13 states. He emphasized that the current high logistics costs are making fuel less affordable in these areas.

The association also pointed out that the absence of a substantive Managing Director for the Port Harcourt Refinery is a significant barrier to progress. They called on the NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer to appoint a qualified individual to this position promptly to provide the necessary leadership for the project’s advancement,

In a bid to expedite the refinery’s rehabilitation, PETROAN has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene by establishing a high-level task force comprising stakeholders from regulatory bodies, labor unions, and industry associations. This panel would be tasked with identifying bottlenecks, proposing solutions, and ensuring the timely completion of the project.

The prolonged delay in the refinery’s rehabilitation not only hampers Nigeria’s goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency but also places additional economic strain on citizens due to continued fuel importation and associated costs. PETROAN insists that Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability regarding the project’s progress and expenditures.