Port Harcourt Refinery resumes full operations amid stakeholder scrutiny

The Port Harcourt Refinery has resumed full operations following temporary scaling down, with its management assuring stakeholders of improved efficiency and production capacity.

The announcement was made by the Managing Director of the refinery, Mr. Ibrahim Onoja, during a facility tour on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

Addressing journalists, Onoja confirmed the refinery is now distributing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), kerosene, and diesel, emphasizing that the facility has undergone extensive upgrades to enhance its operations.

“We replaced critical components, including pump installations and cables, to improve efficiency and reliability. The plant is running, and we are trucking out products,” Onoja said.

Director of Operations at the Nigerian Pipeline Storage Company (NPSC) Ltd, Mr. Moyi Maidunama, explained the recent temporary reduction in production was a deliberate move to address technical issues. These adjustments, he noted, aimed to improve the delivery capacity of the refinery.

“Our operations were not halted but scaled down to enable necessary improvements. Since yesterday, we’ve been evacuating refined petroleum products, and this process will be continuous,” Maidunama stated.

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Additionally, the terminal manager, Mr. Worlu Joel, highlighted the refinery’s efficiency, noting that 11 functional loading bays are available, with three currently in operation.

“Each bay can evacuate three trucks in 15 minutes. We have surplus products and can handle up to 100 trucks daily, but the slow turnout of tanker drivers is a challenge,” Joel remarked.

Despite these assurances, skepticism lingers among stakeholders, particularly from the host Alesa community.

Timothy Mgbere, a leader from the community, raised doubts about the refinery’s claims, alleging that some of the loaded petroleum products were not freshly refined but leftovers from storage tanks unused for over three years.

Mgbere also questioned the refinery’s loading efficiency, noting, “On Tuesday, only six trucks were loaded despite promises of evacuating 200 trucks daily.”

Similarly, earlier reports had suggested the refinery temporarily ceased operations for calibration purposes, though the Port Harcourt Refining Company clarified these were scaled-down activities to facilitate ongoing facility improvements.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited previously announced on November 26 that the refinery had resumed operations following its rehabilitation.

According to the NNPC, the facility now operates at 70% of its installed capacity, producing 1.5 million liters of diesel and 2.1 million liters of Pour Fuel Oil daily.

Energy analyst Dr. Funsho Adewale pointed to the refinery’s partial rehabilitation as a critical step in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.

“The improved production capacity is encouraging, but transparency in operations and consistent supply are crucial to rebuilding public trust,” he said.

However, the doubts expressed by community leaders highlight the need for better communication and engagement with stakeholders.

“Addressing these allegations with concrete evidence and fostering dialogue will help the refinery maintain credibility,” said economic consultant, Mrs. Grace Iwobi.

Experts note that while the resumption of operations is a positive development, challenges such as logistics bottlenecks, stakeholder concerns, and market volatility could hinder progress.

The refinery’s management has reiterated its commitment to sustained operations, with plans to gradually scale up loading capacity and address logistical challenges.

As Nigeria continues to tackle its energy supply issues, the Port Harcourt Refinery remains a focal point in the broader strategy to reduce import dependency and strengthen domestic refining capabilities.

For now, the public and stakeholders await tangible results that validate the refinery’s promises of efficiency and reliability.