Nigeria’s oil marketers are expressing renewed optimism that the Port Harcourt Refinery will soon begin commercial production.
Billy Gillis-Harry, the national president of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, shared this expectation in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST. He reported that his recent visit to the refinery, which has a capacity of 250 barrels per day, indicated it is nearly ready to produce petroleum products at a commercial scale.
Gillis-Harry highlighted that the operational launch of both the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Dangote Refinery could eliminate fuel shortages in Nigeria.
He noted, “The Port Harcourt Refinery is on the verge of commencing production. I personally visited the site and observed the progress made to ensure it operates effectively.” He expressed hope that the refinery would start functioning within the coming days or weeks.
Oil and gas expert Zakka Bala also weighed in, emphasizing that Nigeria’s energy security hinges on the successful operation of its government-owned refineries, including Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Bala pointed out that while Dangote Refinery is a profit-driven enterprise, the government-owned refineries should focus on serving the public. He cautioned against allowing entities that may undermine the success of national refineries.
In July 2024, Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), had projected that the Port Harcourt Refinery would begin operations in August. NNPCL had previously announced potential start dates of March and July 2024 following the refinery’s mechanical completion in December last year. This development follows the Nigerian government’s approval of $1.5 billion in 2021 for the refinery’s turnaround maintenance.
Recently, Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, has called for an inquiry into the $1.5 billion allocated for the refinery’s maintenance.
