By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has refuted some media reports that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.
The company, in a statement issued on Saturday, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, described the reports as false, saying the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.
Responding to some media reports that the operations of the refinery have stopped, leaving tanker drivers stranded, Soneye said the lifting of petroleum products is still ongoing at the 60,000 barrels per day refinery.
He urged the public to disregard what it described as baseless claims, stating that they are figments of the imagination of individuals aiming to create artificial scarcity and exploit Nigerians.
The statement reads: “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.
“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.”
