The Port Harcourt Refining Company has halted operations just weeks after it was reopened with much celebration. This closure raises concerns, especially after $1.5 billion was spent on its rehabilitation in 2021.
Reports from December 19, 2024, reveal that the refinery has not been producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) since December 13. When visited, the usually bustling loading area, where trucks collect petrol, was completely empty. A total of 27 trucks were seen parked at different spots around the refinery, but none were being loaded with fuel.
A Grand Reopening, Short-Lived Results
On November 26, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) led by Mele Kyari held a high-profile event to mark the refinery’s reopening. It was announced that the facility could process 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
At the event, a few trucks were loaded with petrol, and the crowd cheered. However, reports suggest only about 10 trucks received fuel that day, and this might not have been freshly refined petrol but old supplies from storage tanks.
What Went Wrong?
By early December, operations were inconsistent. The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria said the delays were due to equipment checks and the removal of water from old fuel supplies.
A brief resumption followed, with a handful of trucks being loaded daily. During a media tour, Ibrahim Onoja, the refinery’s Managing Director, said the facility had undergone extensive upgrades, including new pumps, instrumentation, and cables.
Despite these improvements, operations completely stopped a week ago. Only a few truck drivers remain at the facility, waiting for updates. One driver expressed doubt about rumours that loading might resume soon.
The Current Situation
The once-busy refinery is now quiet, with security guards overseeing the premises. Drivers are left waiting in uncertainty, and the facility shows no signs of immediate resumption.
This development raises questions about the effectiveness of the $1.5 billion rehabilitation and the refinery’s ability to contribute to Nigeria’s fuel supply. As the deadline for the refinery to meet its production targets approaches, Nigerians are eager for answers from the NNPCL on what went wrong and what lies ahead.
