The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed reports claiming that the Port Harcourt Refinery has ceased operations, assuring Nigerians that the newly rehabilitated refinery is fully functional.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye debunked the rumors, describing them as false and unfounded.
“The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down,” Soneye said.
Soneye clarified that the refinery remains active, with preparations underway for the day’s loading operations as of Saturday morning.
“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational, as verified a few days ago by former group managing directors of NNPC,” he said.
The NNPCL’s assurance comes amid widespread speculation about the refinery’s status, which had caused concern among Nigerians.
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The spokesperson urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading reports, warning that such false claims could lead to unnecessary panic and fuel artificial scarcity.
“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians,” Soneye emphasized.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed operations just two months ago after a major rehabilitation, is a crucial part of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure. The refinery’s operational status is vital for reducing dependency on imported refined petroleum products and stabilizing the domestic fuel supply.