The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.
The association said that this is contrary to the speculations that the revamped and celebrated refinery is a mere blending plant and unproductive as circulated by most naysayer.
The Nigerian National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) on Tuesday announced that the Port Harcourt refinery has commenced crude oil refining.
In a statement titled “Halt the rumours: Port Harcourt old refinery is up and running, producing by-products of crude oil”, and signed by its spokesperson on Thursday, Joseph Obele, PETROAN noted that as part of its oversight function, it has direct access to the plant on the authorization of management.
It encouraged whoever is doubting the functional status of the plant to contact NNPC management for facility tour rather than spreading misleading information.
The statement further read;
“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, OFR Ph.D 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 #1,030 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 inview of giving Nigerians a blissful Yuletide celebration.
“Finally, PETROAN supports the proposed planned Privatisation of the nation owned refineries in a no instance 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 serious threat to Petroleum trucks that will be conveying flammable products from the refinery depots”.:The statement said.
