In a recent visit to the Port Harcourt Refinery, Bayo Onanuga, a prominent Nigerian figure, provided reassurance to Nigerians about the facility’s revival.
Onanuga, along with a delegation, toured the refinery on Wednesday to assess its status firsthand.
The refinery had officially resumed operations on November 26, after years of inactivity, but reports of doubts regarding its functionality had persisted.
Skepticism was fueled by concerns from stakeholders questioning whether the refinery could truly function again.
Onanuga took to social media to share his findings from the visit, aiming to clear up the confusion surrounding the refinery’s operational state.
“The refinery is operational,” Onanuga confirmed, dismissing rumors and misinformation circulating among the public.
The visit, he explained, was part of a fact-finding mission to verify the refinery’s actual condition.
Onanuga, along with the delegation, was guided on a tour by Ibrahim Onoja, the refinery’s Managing Director.
The delegation visited various sections of the refinery, from the computerized control room to the loading bay, to assess the facility’s operations.
During the tour, Onanuga asked questions, which were answered to his satisfaction, confirming that the refinery was indeed functioning.
He shared that the Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity.
While not yet at full capacity, plans are already in place to increase production soon, Onanuga explained.
Onanuga also addressed claims that the refinery was struggling with a lack of crude oil.
He confirmed that the refinery is regularly supplied with crude, refuting claims that it was unable to obtain sufficient raw materials for processing.
The refinery’s output includes various petroleum products, including kerosene, low-pour fuel oil, LPG, diesel, and gasoline.
“Gasoline is blended with other products to make the petrol we use in our cars,” Onanuga explained.
Onanuga expressed satisfaction with the upgrades made to the refinery during its recent overhaul.
He pointed out that the facility, which had previously been outdated, had now been brought up to modern standards.
“Parts that hadn’t been changed in 27 years have now been replaced,” he said.
Some sections of the refinery had undergone major improvements, including the installation of new pipelines.
The overhaul has successfully transformed the refinery into a 21st-century facility, fit for modern demands.
In addition to the main refinery, Onanuga also visited the second Port Harcourt Refinery, commissioned in 1989.
Workers were seen dismantling old, rusty parts and replacing them with new components during the visit.
Although officials were unable to provide a timeline for when the second refinery would be fully operational, there was a sense of optimism.
There is a strong belief that this refinery, once completed, will complement the main refinery in meeting Nigeria’s fuel production needs.
Onanuga commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and the refinery team for their efforts in reviving what was once a struggling asset.
“The refinery was on the verge of becoming a museum piece, but now it is back to life,” he stated.
The successful revitalization of the refinery marks a significant achievement in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Onanuga’s visit has helped to address doubts and discredit the false reports that had surrounded the refinery’s operations.
His statement serves as an important reminder of the progress made in rejuvenating key infrastructure in the country.
With this successful restoration, the Port Harcourt Refinery is poised to play a key role in Nigeria’s oil production and fuel supply.
Onanuga’s mission was clear: to put to rest the misconceptions and reaffirm that the refinery is now functional and making progress.
His findings will likely put an end to the speculation that had cast doubt on the refinery’s operational capacity.
“This is a major step forward for Nigeria,” Onanuga concluded.
