NNPC Confirms Old Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational, Dispelling Public Doubts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Wednesday,  insisted that the 60,000 barrels per day Old Port Harcourt Refinery was up and running, with loading operations in full swing, contrary to insinuations in certain quarters.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari, gave the confirmation at the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos, a statement from the NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said.

In a goodwill message at the event, Kyari extended invitation to human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, and all those in doubt to join the NNPC on a tour of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to verify their status.

Although the refinery was said to have commenced operation after several postponements, a cross-section of Nigerians have expressed doubt over the veracity of the claims by the national oil company.

The NNPC has had announced that the facility was churning out 1.4 million litresper day of petrol, aside other products like kerosene, diesel and others.

But the statement said that Kyari also shed light on the controversy around products blending, stating that blending was not a crime as it is an integral part of the refining process.

“If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles. Every refinery blends because what is on specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere.

“ Blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions,” the statement quoted Kyari as explaining.

Kyari also congratulated NUPENG on the successful completion of the NUPENG Towers and urged the union to continue to prioritise dialogue and co-operation in its relationship with NNPC Ltd and the Federal Government.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu‘s interventions in the oil and gas industry by way of Executive Orders were yielding positive results, with more investments coming in and prospects of more jobs in the industry.

Emmanuel Addeh

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