By Port Harcourt Refinery Shut Down for Maintenance
Controversy Trails Announcement
Summary
- NNPC Ltd shuts down Port Harcourt Refinery for maintenance starting 24 May 2025.
- Refinery’s $1.5bn turnaround under Mele Kyari questioned amid mismanagement allegations.
- Petrol still unavailable from plant; no date given for resumption of operations.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for planned maintenance, beginning 24 May 2025.
The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the $1.5 billion allocated under former Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for the refinery’s much-publicised turnaround. Allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement continue to trail the project, fuelling public concern about transparency and value for money.
While some petroleum marketers confirmed the receipt of kerosene and diesel from the refinery, none reported the purchase of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, raising fresh doubts about the facility’s full operational status.
NNPC Ltd has yet to provide a clear timeline for when operations will resume at the plant.
The company’s new leadership, helmed by Group Chief Executive Officer Wale Ojulari and Chief Financial Officer Kida, faces increasing pressure to restore confidence through transparency and decisive action.
Industry watchers say the time has come for NNPC Ltd to either ensure the refinery becomes fully functional or consider a complete overhaul, including the option of selling it off.
Public Backlash Trails Refinery Shutdown
The announcement of a scheduled maintenance shutdown of the Refinery has sparked a storm of reactions from Nigerians across various sectors, revealing deep-seated frustration and mistrust in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC Ltd) handling of the facility.
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been awash with critical commentary, as users question the credibility of the shutdown narrative. Many expressed disbelief that a refinery, said to have resumed partial operations in November 2024 following a $1.5 billion rehabilitation, is now out of service again.
“A refinery that billions was spent on and didn’t produce a drop of fuel… is shut down for maintenance. Somebody should be in jail by now,” one user posted, reflecting widespread doubts about whether the facility was ever truly functional. Others decried what they perceived as deception, saying, “The propaganda have failed, they were saying it’s working even with evidence that it’s not working.”
Critics also pointed out the frequency of such shutdowns. “Another maintenance? After the previous billions expended on same maintenance?” one comment read, amplifying calls for greater transparency and accountability from NNPC Ltd.
Host Communities and Fuel Retailers Push Back
Fuel retailers and community leaders in Eleme and Okrika, where the refinery is located, have voiced strong opposition to the closure. They alleged possible sabotage and economic manipulation, particularly in favour of private players like the Dangote Refinery.
In a joint statement, the Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers of Port Harcourt Refinery Depot, led by Sunny Nkpe and Dr. Joseph Obele, warned that the shutdown would lead to fuel scarcity, deepening economic hardship.
They also criticised the lack of local stakeholder inclusion during the refinery’s rehabilitation phase, warning that unless NNPC Ltd guarantees stable fuel distribution during the maintenance period, the shutdown could trigger supply bottlenecks and rising pump prices.
PETROAN Demands Transparency and Swift Repairs
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) also echoed concerns over the shutdown, describing it as a symptom of “incompetence” considering the massive investment in the refinery.
PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, demanded a strict 30-day repair timeline to prevent disruption in fuel supply and urged NNPC Ltd to provide weekly updates while ensuring timely payments to contractors.
Renewed Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement
The shutdown has reignited scrutiny of the refinery’s finances, with renewed public discourse on corruption and mismanagement. Reports indicate that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries over alleged diversion of $2.96 billion earmarked for rehabilitation efforts.
NNPC’s Response
NNPC Ltd, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, has defended the shutdown as routine and necessary for ensuring the plant’s long-term sustainability. He emphasized that the maintenance aligns with global standards and denied any sabotage.
Soneye added that the process is being carried out in partnership with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), promising regular updates to the public.
Despite NNPC’s reassurances, retailers remain sceptical due to Nigeria’s chronic dependence on imported petroleum products and the refinery’s track record.
The shutdown has once again spotlighted systemic issues in Nigeria’s refining sector, amplifying public demand for accountability and a clear strategy to achieve energy security.
