The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery is fully operational.
This comes in response to media reports claiming that the refinery, which resumed operations two months ago, has been shut down.
NNPC described the claims as “totally false” and urged Nigerians to disregard them.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Olufemi Soneye, stated that the refinery remains functional.
“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip off Nigerians,” he said.
The clarification followed inspections by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC, who confirmed the refinery’s operational status a few days ago.
The Port Harcourt Refinery is one of Nigeria’s most significant oil refining facilities.
Located in Rivers State, the refinery comprises two plants: the old refinery, which was commissioned in 1965, and the new refinery, added in 1989.
Together, they have a combined installed capacity of 210,000 barrels per day.
After years of inactivity due to neglect and technical issues, the old refinery was recently rehabilitated and brought back to life.
NNPC announced its re-streaming in October, marking a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
The rehabilitation is part of a $1.5 billion project aimed at overhauling the country’s refineries.
The project also includes work on the Warri and Kaduna refineries, which are scheduled to resume operations in 2025.
Reports of a shutdown sparked concerns about the potential for fuel scarcity during the festive season.
Nigeria has faced repeated episodes of fuel shortages, often linked to rumours, hoarding, and distribution challenges.
In its statement, NNPC assured the public that preparations for loading operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery were already underway.
The company reiterated its commitment to ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products across the country.
Olufemi Soneye accused certain individuals of attempting to spread misinformation for selfish gains.
“These baseless claims are aimed at creating panic and exploiting innocent Nigerians,” he said.
The Port Harcourt Refinery’s rehabilitation faced criticism when the $1.5 billion contract was announced in 2021.
Critics questioned the cost and the government’s decision to continue investing in ageing facilities instead of building new ones.
NNPC defended the project, arguing that fixing existing refineries was more cost-effective and quicker than constructing new plants.
The company also emphasised the importance of maintaining domestic refining capacity to safeguard the nation’s energy security.
