Yemisi Izuora
Former aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the resurrection of the PH refinery as one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) deserve applause for the feat.
This is as the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), has dismissed rumours that the resuscitated Port Harcourt refinery is not functioning.
However, Fani-Kayode regretted that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria and urged the NNPC to take more active steps to ensire other refineries are working so that Nigerians will have cause to smile again.
” Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity and forthrightness has been rewarded with this great feat. “Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.” Fani-Kayode noted.
On its part the National Headquarters of PETROAN said it is compelled to set the records straight on the status of the refinery.
“WE state emphatically that the Old Port Harcourt refinery is functional and producing refined Petroleum products at the moment.” Dr Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer of the Association said.
Our Correspondent reports that on Tuesday 26th November 2024, the top Management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) led by Engr Mele Kyari took stakeholders and journalist to the plant inview of having a first hand information and to see things themselves.
The old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.
This is contrary to the speculations that the revamped and celebrated Refinery is a mere blending plant and unproductive as circulated by most naysayer, said Obele.
Obele went further to say, “As part of PETROAN’s oversight function as key stakeholders, we have direct access to the plant on the authorization of management and we will encourage whoever is doubting the functional status of the plant to contact NNPC management for facility tour rather than spreading misleading information.”
He added, “It is more important to state here that the functional plant at operation is the old refinery with the capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, while the new port Harcourt refinery with the capacity of 200,000 barrels per day is still under rehabilitation which is due to commence production soon as announced by the management of NNPCL.”
Both Refineries are within the same complex at Alesa Eleme in Rivers State The old Port Harcourt refinery which was built in the year 1965 stopped production over 21 years ago, while the new Port Harcourt refinery stopped production in the year 2019.
The PETROAN spokesperson said that further confirmation for the authenticity of production at the Port Harcourt refinery was verified by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources under the able leadership of Distinguished Sen. S A Kawu Sumaila, in conjunction with stakeholders and members of the host community. The senate Committee was on fact-finding/investigation on Thursday 28th November 2024 at the Port Harcourt refinery and depot at Alesa Eleme to see things themselves.
The senate committee saw the plant functional and Petroleum trucks loading at the Port Harcourt refinery depot.
Obele, said, ” It is worth noting that PETROAN National leadership led by the national President Dr Billy Hary were in attendance at the senate committee visitation at the Port Harcourt refinery to welcome the committee and express PETROAN’S willingness to commence loading at the Port Harcourt refinery.”
The Association opined that the appropriate thing at the moment is to commend the team of NNPCL management led by Engr Mele Kyari that was able to revive a plant that has been moribund, deplorable and dormant for over 21 years.
Regarding the price, NNPC Retail Ltd has officially announced the PMS price at the Port Harcourt refinery as #1,030 per litre which was also communicated to PETROAN that the product request portal was open for booking /request.
Obelele, however noted that the PETROAN strategic pricing team are currently analysing the most favourable price for her members as the group is open to patronising all the refineries in Nigeria. “PETROAN also employs that NNPC Retail Ltd should further reduce the price inview of giving Nigerians a blissful Yuletide celebration.
“PETROAN supports the proposed planned Privatisation of the nation owned refineries in a no instance time in such a manner that is credible and transparent after which the plant should be handled over to a reputable private firm with the financial capability and technical knowledge.” He said.
The Association however expressed concern about the situation with condition of the Eleme East west road which poses serious threat to Petroleum trucks that will be conveying flammable products from the refinery depots.
The PETROAN encouraged the Federal Ministry of Works under which the project was awarded to RCC to facilitate the ongoing repairs of the road.
