Petroleum products marketers have expressed deep frustration over repeated delays in Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation. They called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to give definite completion timelines.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) raised concerns about ongoing postponements. Despite many promises from NNPC officials, the projects have faced multiple setbacks. These delays continue to affect fuel availability and price stability nationwide.
The federal government began fixing the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries in 2021. The Port Harcourt refinery’s old 60,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) unit was mechanically completed in December 2023. It officially restarted production in November 2024.
However, work on the second 210,000 bpd Port Harcourt unit, along with the Kaduna (110,000 bpd) and Warri (125,000 bpd) refineries, is still underway. New deadlines keep slipping.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, PETROAN National President Billy Gillis-Harry said fully rehabilitating and commissioning these refineries would boost local fuel supply. It would also reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports.
“We applaud the restart of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery. However, we urgently need the NNPC to clarify when the second Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries will begin operations,” he said.
He added that completing the second Port Harcourt refinery would serve System 2E, covering 13 states. This would lower transportation costs and make fuel more affordable in those regions.
Because of the delays’ impact on the economy and society, PETROAN urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene. They want him to set up a high-level panel to monitor and speed up the projects. This panel should include stakeholders from NMDPRA, NUPRC, NNPC, NUPENG, PENGASSAN, MEMAN, DAPPMAN, and PETROAN.
“The continuous delays are unacceptable. Nigerians deserve to know when these refineries will operate. We demand accountability for the billions spent,” Gillis-Harry emphasized.
Leadership Vacuum Could Stall Progress
PETROAN also expressed concern over the leadership gap at the Port Harcourt Refinery. They urged new NNPC Group CEO Bayo Ojulari to appoint a substantive Managing Director quickly.
“Strong leadership is essential now. A new Managing Director will drive the project forward. We cannot afford more delays,” he stressed.
PETROAN praised President Tinubu for appointing Bayo Ojulari as NNPC’s GCEO. They called on Ojulari to see the role as a national duty. They urged him to work hard to restore Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency.
