NNPCL Invites Ex-President Obasanjo to Tour Port Harcourt Refinery Following Operational Concerns

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has officially invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State. This invitation comes after Obasanjo raised concerns about the refinery’s operational capacity in a recent interview with Channels Television. The NNPCL’s move is aimed at allowing the former president to verify the operational status of the refinery, which recently resumed operations.

In his interview, Obasanjo questioned the efficiency of the Port Harcourt Refinery, expressing doubts over its ability to function effectively despite its recent reactivation. The refinery, which plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s oil sector, has faced years of underperformance, leading to challenges in meeting the country’s fuel demands. Obasanjo’s comments prompted the NNPCL to extend an invitation to him to see the current state of the facility for himself.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NNPCL welcomed Obasanjo’s insights and experience, emphasizing the importance of his perspective. “We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished,” the statement read.

The NNPCL also highlighted its recent efforts to rehabilitate and improve Nigeria’s refineries, including the Port Harcourt facility. The statement mentioned that the organization had not only carried out turnaround maintenance but had also undertaken a complete overhaul of the refinery. Olufemi Soneye, the NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, clarified that this was not a routine turnaround maintenance (TAM) but a “comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards.”

Soneye further explained that similar efforts were being made at the old Port Harcourt Refinery and the Kaduna Refinery to bring these facilities up to global standards for sustainable operations. He emphasized that these upgrades were part of the NNPCL’s broader efforts to improve the country’s energy security and infrastructure.

“The progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector,” Soneye stated. He added that these efforts had set NNPCL on a path to redefine energy security in Nigeria while positioning the company as a leader on the global energy stage.