Nigerian Refinery Collapse: Port Harcourt Facility Grinds To A Halt After Costly Rehab

Nigerian Refinery Collapse: Port Harcourt Facility Grinds To A Halt After Costly Rehab

Just weeks after the much-anticipated reopening of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, the facility has unexpectedly halted operations once…Nigerian Refinery Collapse: Port Harcourt Facility Grinds To A Halt After Costly Rehab

again.

On Thursday, December 19, 2024, our reporter visited the refinery and observed that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, had completely ceased. It was confirmed that lifting had stopped the previous Friday, December 13, with the new refinery’s 18-arm loading bay sitting empty.

While 18 trucks were parked along the road leading to the refinery, only nine trucks were seen in the parking yard, and the normally bustling depot was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual activity.

$1.5 Billion Rehabilitation: Celebration Fades Fast

Recall that on November 26, 2024, the refinery was officially reopened, boasting a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. The event, attended by Mele Kyari, CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was marked with fanfare after the $1.5 billion rehabilitation in 2021.

But the excitement was short-lived. On the day of the reopening, only about 10 trucks were loaded, contrary to claims that hundreds were dispatched. Following Kyari’s return to Abuja, the facility’s operations came to a halt once again, with stakeholders alleging that the petrol distributed during the inauguration was simply old stock.

When Saturday PUNCH visited the refinery three weeks ago, the loading bay was still empty, with no products being dispatched. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PetroTrade) stated that the operation was paused to allow for meter calibration and de-watering of old stock to make room for freshly refined products.

A Short-Lived Revival

A fortnight ago, there was a brief flurry of activity, as tanker drivers resumed loading. Journalists were also invited on a tour of the facility, where Managing Director Ibrahim Onoja highlighted the extensive upgrades, including new pumps, cables, and instrumentation.

At that point, about 11 trucks loaded products, signaling a potential turnaround. However, by Thursday, operations had again stalled, with only a handful of drivers waiting idly in their trucks.

One driver, who spoke in Hausa, mentioned hearing that lifting would resume by Monday, but he seemed skeptical, counting the days on his fingers.

The usually busy depot was devoid of workers, with more security personnel stationed around the area, engaging in casual conversations rather than overseeing operations.

Marketers Express Disappointment

Industry figures, including petroleum product marketer Mr. Dappa Jubobaraye, voiced their frustration. Jubobaraye criticized the NNPC’s handling of the refinery, claiming that the production issues were part of a public relations stunt designed to mislead Nigerians into believing the facility was operational.

He pointed out that only a few trucks were loaded during the reopening, and that many of the refinery’s 18 loading arms were inoperative, with some leaking. He also lamented that the NNPC had yet to finalize pricing for independent marketers, preventing them from accessing products at the depot.

“The refinery is not functioning as promised,” Jubobaraye said. “They are trying to load just a handful of trucks to create the illusion of progress.”

He also noted that while there are 18 loading arms at the facility, only three are operational, and even these are solely for PMS. Loading of kerosene (DPK) and diesel (AGO) has yet to begin, despite their significance to ordinary Nigerians.

The Future of the Refinery Remains Uncertain

Attempts to reach NNPC spokesperson Femi Soneye for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

As the situation at the Port Harcourt Refinery continues to unfold, the future of the facility and the hopes of Nigerians for improved fuel supply remain in question.

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