The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced the ongoing rehabilitation of its Port Harcourt and Kaduna Refineries to meet world-class standards.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the effort goes beyond regular Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) and entails a comprehensive revamp. This response followed remarks by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who raised concerns about the viability of the rehabilitation projects.
Obasanjo had expressed doubts about the operational readiness of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries, citing advice he reportedly received from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). According to him, SPDC had questioned the viability of the Port Harcourt Refinery due to alleged corruption.
Addressing these concerns, Soneye highlighted that the projects mark significant achievements under NNPC’s leadership and affirmed that similar efforts are underway at the Kaduna Refinery.
To address skepticism, Soneye extended an invitation to Obasanjo to visit the refineries and see the progress made. He described the former president as a respected statesman whose insights and guidance would be invaluable during this historic transformation. “We deeply appreciate his wisdom and contributions to national development, and his views on issues of national importance remain highly respected,” Soneye said.
The revamp of Nigeria’s refineries is a critical step toward reducing the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products, saving foreign exchange, and boosting local production capacity. The move is also expected to stimulate economic growth by driving value addition within the oil and gas sector.
The recent resumption of production at the Port Harcourt Refinery underscores the success of these efforts and the potential impact on the nation’s energy independence.
Meanwhile, plans are underway for the Kaduna Refinery rehabilitation, scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, as previously announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri. The NNPC’s commitment to restoring the refineries aligns with its broader goal of revitalizing Nigeria’s energy sector and ensuring long-term sustainability.