The Port Harcourt Refining Company, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Rivers State, has failed to start operations after six delays, according to reports.
Promises from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC regarding the refinery have repeatedly fallen short. Since December 2023, NNPC has provided various dates, assuring that the refinery would soon sell refined products.
In July, NNPC's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, asserted that operations would begin in early August. Kyari previously claimed in 2019 that NNPC would revitalize all four of the country’s refineries before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s term.
During a Senate appearance in July, Kyari stated, “I can confirm to you, Mr Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”
He indicated that while the Kaduna refinery would not start until December, the Port Harcourt facility would begin production in early August.
When questioned on Tuesday, NNPC maintained that operations were on track, despite the missed early August deadline.
Spokesperson Olufemi Soneye simply stated, “We are on course,” and did not clarify if operations would begin this month.
The refinery, designed for 210,000 barrels per day, reportedly achieved mechanical completion of rehabilitation in December.
It was expected to refine 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily after the Christmas break. In January, Kyari mentioned that the refinery was undergoing tests and would be operational by the end of that month.
