The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reaffirmed that the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery is operational, with loading activities fully underway. This statement counters skepticism from some Nigerians questioning the refinery’s status.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, confirmed the development on Wednesday during the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos. Kyari invited human rights lawyer Femi Falana and other doubters to tour the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries to verify their functionality.
The NNPC revealed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is currently producing 1.4 million liters of petrol daily, along with kerosene, diesel, and other by-products. Kyari also clarified the role of product blending in refining, emphasizing its necessity to meet regional specifications and ensure product safety.
“If you don’t blend, you produce off-spec products that could damage vehicles. Every refinery blends to meet specific regional requirements,” Kyari explained.
Amid the optimism, Kyari highlighted the positive impact of President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Orders in attracting investments and creating job opportunities within the oil and gas sector. He also praised NUPENG for the successful completion of its new towers, urging continued cooperation between the union, NNPC, and the Federal Government.
While doubts linger among Nigerians about the refinery’s claims, Kyari’s call for transparency signals NNPC’s commitment to restoring public trust and enhancing domestic refining capacity.