NNPC Ltd. Refutes False Claims of Port Harcourt Refinery Shutdown, Confirms Full Operations
By: Sesan Rufus Awobiye
In an Official statement by NNPC Limited on 21st December 2024 —
NNPC Ltd. clarifies false media reports on Port Harcourt refinery shutdown. The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to recent reports circulating in certain media outlets that claim the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has now been shut down. These reports are absolutely false and misleading.
NNPC Ltd wishes to state unequivocally that the Port Harcourt Refinery is fully operational. This has been recently verified through an independent assessment conducted by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC, who confirmed the refinery’s ongoing operations. These highly respected industry professionals, who have firsthand experience and knowledge of the refinery’s operations, personally inspected the facility and verified that it is functioning effectively and efficiently.
Further, the NNPC Ltd would like to emphasize that the refinery is undergoing continuous improvements and preparations for the next round of operational loading. We are actively engaged in refining processes to ensure the supply of petroleum products to meet national demands, and preparations for the upcoming operational cycle are already well underway.
The reports suggesting a shutdown of the refinery are baseless and are part of a larger narrative that seeks to mislead the public. The false claims are clearly designed to create confusion, stir unnecessary panic, and possibly generate artificial scarcity of petroleum products. These deceptive reports should be dismissed entirely as they serve no purpose other than to destabilize the Nigerian economy and harm the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
NNPC Ltd is committed to transparency and operational excellence in its operations, and we will continue to provide factual updates on the status of our refineries, as well as other key projects across the country. We urge members of the public, stakeholders, and the media to disregard any unfounded claims that have no basis in reality.
We further assure Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery, along with other refineries under NNPC Ltd’s management, is dedicated to contributing significantly to the country’s energy security, reducing import dependency, and generating employment opportunities. These efforts are part of our broader commitment to supporting the sustainable development of the nation’s petroleum sector.
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