The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has once again failed to commence operations of the Port Harcourt refinery, Rivers State, despite multiple promises and postponements.
This marks the sixth time the project has been delayed.
Minister of Petroleum Resources (oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has announced that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is nearing its final phase, despite numerous missed deadlines and persistent delays. The refinery was originally scheduled for completion in 2019.
The refurbishment and upgrade of the Port Harcourt Refinery have faced significant setbacks over the years, including political wrangling, funding challenges, and technical difficulties. The project is seen as crucial for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic stability.
In July, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, reaffirmed the company’s preparedness to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery in early August. However, this promise has also failed to materialize.
Kyari had earlier announced that production from the Port Harcourt refinery would begin two weeks from March 2024, but later reaffirmed an August start date. Despite this, the refinery has yet to commence operations, raising concerns about another failed promise from NNPC.
NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, stated on Tuesday that the refinery was “on course” despite the expired early August promise. However, Soneye did not respond to further questions about whether the refinery would still operate this month.
The repeated failures to meet deadlines have raised concerns about the credibility of promises made by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC regarding the refinery’s operations. As August nears its midpoint, the delay has sparked worries about another unfulfilled promise.
