By Ayo Kehinde
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), has debunked speculations that the revamped and celebrated old Port Harcourt Refinery is a mere blending plant and unproductive.
The clarification follows ongoing controversy over the announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which said Tuesday that the Port Harcourt Refinery had commenced processing of crude oil.
The national oil company said trucks had also commenced the loading of petroleum products including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene and other product slates at the refinery.
But a civil society group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, had alleged on Wednesday that the NNPC converted the refinery into a blending plant, accusing the national oil company of hatchet plan to sell imported, substandard petrol to Nigerians as locally refined fuel.
Earlier on Friday, NNPC dismissed claims by Timothy Mgbere, a community leader that the refinery is only functioning minimally and that recent truck-outs of petrol were misleading.
However, National Public Relations Officer, PETROAN, Dr Joseph Obele confirmed that the refinery has commenced the processing of crude oil.
The association clarified that its National leadership led by the President, Dr Billy Hary, were in attendance during visitation of the senate committee on Petroleum Resources who were on fact-finding/investigation mission to the Port Harcourt refinery on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
The statement reads: “As part of PETROAN’s oversight function as key stakeholders, we have direct access to the plant on the authorisation of management and we will encourage whoever is doubting the functional status of the plant to contact NNPC management for facility tours rather than spreading misleading information.
“It is more important to state here that the functional plant in 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.
“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.
“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.
“PETROAN 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.
“PETROAN hereby appraise the scorecard of Engr Mele Kyari as Excellent performance for the reviving a refinery plant which was abandoned for 21 years when he wasn’t the NNPC boss.
“PETROAN is optimistic that the Nigeria vision is achievable and hereby call on Nigerians to be patriotic by believing in the renewed hope agenda of Mr President. Nigeria will work again.
“Regarding the price, NNPC Retail Ltd has officially announced the PMS price at the Port Harcourt refinery as N1,030 per litre.
“It was also communicated to PETROAN that the product request portal was open for booking/request.
“Meanwhile PETROAN strategic pricing team are currently analysing the most favourable price for her members as we are open to patronising all the refineries in Nigeria. PETROAN also employs that NNPC Retail Ltd should further reduce the price in view of giving Nigerians a blissful Yuletide celebration
“Finally, PETROAN supports the proposed planned Privatisation of the nation owned refineries in a no distance 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.
“Most worrisome as a threat to lives and properties is the ugly condition of the Eleme East west road. The road poses a serious threat to Petroleum trucks that will be conveying flammable products from the refinery depots. PETROAN encouraged the Federal Ministry of Works under which the project was awarded to RCC to facilitate the ongoing repairs of the road.”
