The National Civil Society Coalition of Nigeria (NCSCN) has announced plans to conduct an independent assessment of the Port Harcourt Refinery in January 2025. A 50-member committee has been formed to undertake the visit, aiming to verify the refinery’s operational integrity following recent concerns.
The decision was disclosed in a statement by NCSCN Head, Blessing Akinsolotu, on Monday. According to Akinsolotu, the move follows doubts raised by some quarters about the refinery’s performance and capacity.
The refinery, boasting a 60,000-barrel-per-day production capacity, was officially inaugurated on November 26, 2024, by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari. Its re-opening followed a $1.5 billion rehabilitation effort approved in March 2021. The event was marked by excitement as petrol lifting resumed.
According to NCSCN The refinery has contributed to the stability in petroleum product supply during the festive season, with prices remaining steady nationwide.
This marks a departure from previous years of scarcity and price hikes during the yuletide.
The NNPCL recently declared a record-breaking ₦3.29 trillion profit for 2024, the highest in its history.
The Port Harcourt Refinery’s operation is seen as a significant contributor to this success.
The 50-man committee will visit the refinery to interact with management and gather data on its production capacity and operational status.
The findings will be shared publicly to dispel doubts and ensure transparency.
“Nigerians desire functional refineries to alleviate the hardships caused by fuel scarcity. The Port Harcourt Refinery, along with NNPCL’s leadership, has contributed immensely to stabilizing supply during this festive season. Our January visit aims to provide citizens with firsthand information on the refinery’s capacity and operations,” Akinsolotu stated.
The report from this visit is expected to be published globally to promote transparency and accountability