By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to ensure transparency and accountability in the operations of the newly revitalized Port Harcourt Refinery.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company Ltd officially commenced operations in Rivers State on Tuesday, marking the end of numerous missed deadlines for the long-awaited restart of production at the facility.
Reacting to the development, Obi welcomed the refinery’s resuscitation as a positive milestone but stressed the need for clarity in its operations to reassure Nigerians.
“I wish to congratulate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery,” Obi stated. He highlighted the facility’s production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day and the expected daily loading of approximately 200 trucks as significant achievements.
Obi expressed hope that the refinery’s output would translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians, particularly in terms of reduced pump prices and a more robust economy. He also lauded ongoing efforts to revive the Kaduna refinery, noting its potential to enhance productivity, improve transportation, and ease economic pressures nationwide.
“While we acknowledge these achievements as a step in the right direction, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency in the operations of the NNPC,” he added.
The relaunch of the Port Harcourt Refinery is seen as a critical step toward addressing Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products, with stakeholders calling for sustained efforts to optimize the country’s refining capacity.
