The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) says the old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70 percent of its installed capacity, contrary to speculations.
The Secretary of the host Alesa community in Port Harcourt, Timothy Mgbere, had alleged on Arise news that the petroleum products loaded from the refinery were not freshly refined but products left in the storage tank in the last three years.
But PETROAN, in a statement titled “Halt the rumours: Port Harcourt old refinery is up and running” on Thursday, insisted that the refinery has kicked started, producing by-products of crude oil.
The statement signed by its spokesperson, Joseph Obele, noted that, as part of its oversight function, it has direct access to the plant with the authorization of management.
It, however, encouraged whoever doubts the functional status of the refinery to contact NNPC management for a facility tour rather than spreading misleading information.
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The statement further read, “It is more important to state here that the functional plant at operation is the old refinery with the capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, while the new port Harcourt refinery with the capacity of 200,000 barrels per day is still under rehabilitation and is due to commence production soon as announced by the management of NNPCL. Both refineries are within the same complex at Alesa Eleme in Rivers State.
“The old Port Harcourt refinery, which was built in 1965, stopped production over 21 years ago, while the new Port Harcourt refinery stopped production in the year 2019.
“Further confirmation for the authenticity of production at the Port Harcourt refinery was verified by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources under the able leadership of Distinguished Sen. S. A. Kawu Sumaila, OFR Ph.D., in conjunction with stakeholders and members of the host community. The Senate Committee was on fact-finding/investigation on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the Port Harcourt refinery and depot at Alesa Eleme to see things themselves.
“The senate committee saw the plant functional and petroleum trucks loading at the Port Harcourt refinery depot. It is worth noting that PETROAN’s national leadership, led by the national president, Dr. Billy Hary, was in attendance at the senate committee visitation at the Port Harcourt refinery to welcome the committee and express PETROAN’s willingness to commence loading at the Port Harcourt refinery.
“PETROAN opined that the appropriate thing at the moment is to commend the team of NNPCL management led by Engr Mele Kyari that was able to revive a plant that has been moribund, deplorable, and dormant for over 21 years. PETROAN hereby appraises the scorecard of Engr. Mele Kyari as excellent performance for reviving a refinery plant that was abandoned for 21 years when he wasn’t the NNPC boss.
“PETROAN is optimistic that the Nigeria vision is achievable and hereby calls on Nigerians to be patriotic by believing in the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President. Nigeria will work again.
“Regarding the price, NNPC Retail Ltd. has officially announced the PMS price at the Port Harcourt refinery as $1,030 per liter. It was also communicated to PETROAN that the product request portal was open for booking/request.
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“Meanwhile the PETROAN strategic pricing team is currently analyzing the most favorable price for her members as we are open to patronizing all the refineries in Nigeria. PETROAN also employs that NNPC Retail Ltd. should further reduce the price in view of giving Nigerians a blissful Yuletide celebration.
“Finally, PETROAN supports the proposed planned privatization of the nation-owned refineries in a no-instance time in such a manner that is credible and transparent, after which the plant should be handed over to a reputable private firm with the financial capability and technical knowledge.
“Most worrisome as a threat to lives and properties is the ugly condition of the Eleme East West Road. The road poses a serious threat to petroleum trucks that will be conveying flammable products from the refinery depots.
“PETROAN encourages the Federal Ministry of Works under which the project was awarded to RCC to facilitate the ongoing repairs of the road.”