Victor Ezeja
Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has reacted to comments made by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, regarding the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries.
The National oil company invited the former president for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to have a first hand experience.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa reports that Obasanjo had during an interview with Channels Television, expressed doubts about the operational status of the refineries.
In November, the NNPCL announced that the 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) Port Harcourt refinery has resumed operations. Also on 31 December, the NNPCL GCEO, Mele Kyari, announced the recommencement of operations of the Warri refinery after about a decade of being moribund.
However, in the interview, Obasanjo alleged that the NNPCL is being economical with the truth and misleading Nigerians about the refineries’ operational status.
Obasanjo said that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was approached during his time as president to manage Nigeria’s refineries, but it declined the request over concerns of systemic corruption.
He further stated that during his administration, billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, offered to invest $750 million to manage the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries in 2007 under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), but the NNPCL later rejected it, even as it was fully aware of its inability to effectively manage the national refineries.
However, in a statement on Thursday, by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL claimed that it has achieved a comprehensive rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries designed to meet world-class standards not just mere Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) that it had done over the years.
Soneye revealed that similar work is being done at the 150,000bpd Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, with the goal of ensuring that these facilities are enhanced to meet global standards for sustainable operation.
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He urged the ex-president to join the national oil company in its journey of achieving energy security for the country.
“We extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited,” Soneye stated.
“As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) and Warri Refinery.
“We welcome President Obasanjo to witness the transformation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. This is not a mere Turnaround Maintenance, but a comprehensive overhaul aligned with global standards.”
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He maintained that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries underscores the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy security.
On the status of NNPCL, Soneye clarified that the company has transformed from a government corporation into a private entity, NNPC Limited.
He explained that the transition means that the NNPC has also moved from being a loss-making organisation to a profit-driven international energy firm.
“Under this new model, NNPC Limited has expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. Our focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
