The much-anticipated resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company earlier this week has been met with disappointment, as recent visits revealed that activity at the site remains at a standstill.
Workers and equipment appeared idle, contradicting claims of active fuel loading made during the inauguration ceremony.
On Tuesday, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), launched the refurbished refinery at its Area 5 terminal, celebrating what was supposed to be a milestone achievement.
Reports from the event suggested that 200 trucks of petrol were being loaded daily. However, skepticism arose when insiders disclosed that the fuel being distributed came from old reserves rather than fresh production.
A visit to the refinery on Friday by PUNCH revealed empty loading bays and inactive machinery. Some workers confirmed that calibration work was underway, a process they claimed might extend into the following week.
A worker speaking anonymously told PUNCH, “The trucks loaded earlier contained dead stock—products left in storage from before the refinery’s closure in 2015/2016. These stocks are being cleared before introducing new refined products.”
While there is optimism about the refinery’s future, challenges persist. Observers have noted that many operations are still being conducted manually rather than digitally, a significant limitation in a modern industry. Despite these issues, refinery officials maintain that the delays are temporary and attributed to ongoing adjustments.
In response to public concerns, NNPC released a statement rejecting claims that the refinery is inactive. Spokesperson Olufemi Soneye clarified, “The old and new facilities are now integrated, sharing storage and utilities. Reports of inactivity are based on misinformation.”
However, local residents like Osaro, a community member from Alode in Rivers State, expressed frustration. “After the fanfare of the inauguration, there’s no real progress. It’s all talk,” he remarked.
