By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has addressed misleading claims made by one Timothy Mgbere, a self-proclaimed “community person,” who alleged that recent reports about the restreaming and truck-out of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Port Harcourt refinery were false.
In a video circulating online, Mgbere questioned the authenticity of the operations, claiming that the truck-out of PMS from the refinery earlier in the week was fabricated. While NNPC initially refrained from responding, the need to correct these inaccuracies and prevent further misinformation prompted a clarification.
The company outlined the following points in response to Mgbere’s assertions:
Refinery Operations and Infrastructure: Mgbere incorrectly stated that the old Port Harcourt Refinery was operating on a limited capacity and was not producing PMS. He further claimed that the PMS truck-out occurred only at the new Port Harcourt Refinery. NNPC clarified that both the old and new refineries have been integrated and now share a single terminal for product load-out, including common utilities such as storage tanks and power. This integration allows products from both refineries to be loaded at the same gantry.
Contradictory Statements: Mgbere, who initially claimed that the old Port Harcourt Refinery had a separate loading gantry, later contradicted himself by suggesting that PMS from the “old stock” of the old refinery was being trucked out from the new refinery’s gantry. NNPC pointed out that this claim is inconsistent and reflects a lack of understanding of the refinery’s operational structure.
Misunderstanding of Refinery Operations: In further criticism of Mgbere’s claims, NNPC stressed that while “old stock” can be moved between the refineries, newly produced PMS from the old refinery can indeed be trucked out from the new refinery’s gantry, as the two refineries are now integrated.
Incorrect Production Capacity: Mgbere also made the erroneous claim that the refinery was producing 1.4 million barrels per day. NNPC clarified that the actual nameplate capacity of the refinery is 60,000 barrels per day, with current production running at 90% capacity. This results in the production of 1.4 million litres of PMS, in addition to other products such as diesel and kerosene.
Public Disregard for False Claims: NNPC concluded by urging the public to disregard Mgbere’s statements, which the company described as misleading and based on a lack of factual knowledge.
NNPC reiterated its commitment to transparency and accurate information, urging the public to rely on credible sources for updates on the operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
