Less than a month after the much-celebrated recommissioning of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), the facility has come to a halt, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the $1.5 billion rehabilitation project.
Empty Loading Bay Observed
During a visit on Thursday, December 19, 2024, it was observed that the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, had ceased since December 13. The 18-arm loading bay of the newly revamped refinery was deserted, with no trucks loading fuel.
Approximately 18 tankers were parked along the road leading to the refinery, while nine more were stationed inside the parking yard. The usually bustling depot was eerily quiet, with minimal activity among workers and security personnel.
A Project Shrouded in Controversy
The PHRC, with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, was inaugurated on November 26, 2024, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari. The event was marked by celebrations, with promises of improved fuel availability for Nigerians.
Despite the fanfare, reports indicate that fewer than 10 trucks of petrol were lifted on the inauguration day, contrary to claims of 200 trucks. Stakeholders have since alleged that the fuel lifted was old stock stored prior to the facility’s reopening.
Intermittent Operations
Weeks after the inauguration, operations at the refinery were sporadic. Efforts to recalibrate loading bay meters and de-water old stock temporarily resumed product lifting, with up to 11 trucks loading on certain days.
Refinery Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, previously stated that significant upgrades had been made, including the replacement of pumps, cables, and instrumentation. “We have carried out an extensive revamp of this plant and changed most of the equipment,” Onoja had assured during a guided tour.
Production Halts Again
By December 13, all production activities had ceased. Truck drivers idled in their vehicles with no clear information on when operations would resume. One driver, speaking anonymously, expressed skepticism about promises that loading would restart by Monday, December 23.
A petroleum marketer, Dappa Jubobaraye, criticized the state of the refinery, claiming the entire reopening was a facade.
“It was just a show to deceive Nigerians. Since Kyari left, no independent marketer has loaded products from the depot. Only NNPCL mega stations are being supplied,” Jubobaraye alleged.
He highlighted technical issues, such as uncalibrated meters and limited functionality of the loading arms, noting, “Out of 18 loading arms, only three are operational, and they leak. This cannot sustain efficient operations.”
Nigerians Express Frustration
The halt in refinery operations has sparked widespread frustration, with tanker drivers and marketers lamenting wasted time and resources. Some drivers have reportedly left after waiting for weeks without loading.
Efforts to reach NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
Uncertain Future
As Nigerians grapple with the implications of this setback, questions about the effectiveness of the $1.5 billion rehabilitation project persist. Stakeholders are urging the NNPCL to address the challenges and provide clarity on the refinery’s future.
