The Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating the turnaround maintenance of Nigerian refineries has uncovered that the Port Harcourt refinery is not yet ready for production.
Committee members met in River State to assess the progress and readiness of both Port Harcourt refineries. While one refinery was established in 1965, the second was built 23 years later in 1989.
Like other refineries in Warri and Kaduna, the Port Harcourt refineries have remained inactive for an extended period despite substantial investments by successive governments to revive them.
This inactivity has compelled the country to rely heavily on petroleum imports to meet its energy needs. The Senate has passed a resolution to ensure the functionality of Nigerian refineries to reduce dependence on imports and enhance domestic production.
According to the chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee, Ifeanyi Ubah he stated, “We have a resolution in the Senate to look and make sure that Nigerian refineries are working so that we shouldn’t be depending on the importation of petroleum products, and that is one of the reasons why we are here and as well to look into the contract.
“What we saw is most encouraging, as the refinery upgrade and full rehabilitation is almost 90% complete. We are confident the refinery will soon be operational before the end of the year,” he said.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara highlighted that his administration is actively supporting the federal government’s initiatives by constructing an alternative road to the Port Harcourt refinery.
“It will help to decongest the trouble commuters face along the east-west road and provide easy access straight to the refinery. So you can see our government is working in line, supporting the administration of Tinubu to give our people hope,” he said.
It was recalled how the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, lied to Nigerians on many occasions that the refurbished Port Harcourt Oil Refinery would kickstart operations within two weeks, as reported by Parallel Facts.
Kyari conveyed this commitment during a dialogue session with the Senate on Thursday, emphasizing that the promised delivery timeframe for the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries remains unwavering.
“Now, we have crude oil already stocked in it. It is currently undergoing a regulatory compliance test before we restream it. I assure you that this refinery will start in the next two weeks.” he said.
