Paragraph 1: Impending Shutdown and Community Resistance
The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) is poised for a 30-day maintenance shutdown, a move that has sparked controversy and resistance from local communities. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) maintains that the refinery remains operational and the shutdown is routine maintenance, fuel retailers in the host communities of Eleme and Okrika dispute this claim, alleging a deliberate attempt to sabotage the refinery. They accuse the refinery coordinator, Bayo Adenrele, of orchestrating the shutdown to benefit private refineries, potentially leading to fuel price hikes and further economic hardship for Nigerians. The retailers emphasize their commitment to opposing any actions that jeopardize the refinery’s operation and the well-being of their communities.
Paragraph 2: Allegations of Sabotage and Neglect of Host Communities
The host community retailers allege a pattern of questionable actions by the refinery coordinator, suggesting his motives are aligned with private refinery interests. They claim he has been deliberately withholding crude oil supply to the PHRC, which is a key step in crippling its operations. They also accuse him of neglecting the host communities’ rights and interests, denying them rightful benefits such as contracts, empowerment opportunities, and the sale of scrap materials generated during the refinery’s rehabilitation. These actions, they argue, prioritize private gains over the welfare of the communities and the nation as a whole. They further allege that the coordinator’s actions have hindered the completion of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the old refinery plant and slowed down efforts to make other units of the new refinery fully operational.
Paragraph 3: Fears of Economic Fallout and Job Losses
The retailers express concern that the planned shutdown will lead to market dominance by private refineries, resulting in increased fuel prices and deepening economic hardship. This dominance, they argue, will exploit the vulnerability of Nigerians who rely on affordable fuel. Adding to their worries is the potential disengagement of local workers employed in the refinery’s operations and maintenance. They fear that the shutdown will result in job losses for their community members, further impacting their livelihoods. The retailers hold the coordinator responsible for any fuel crisis that may arise following the shutdown.
Paragraph 4: Calls for Intervention and Leadership Change
Demanding immediate action, the host communities call on key figures in government and the NNPC to intervene and address the alleged sabotage. Their demands include the removal of the refinery coordinator and the appointment of a permanent Managing Director for the refinery. They believe a permanent MD will provide much-needed stability and direction, ensuring the refinery’s successful revival and contributing to the nation’s economic growth. They specifically call on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; the Group Chief Executive of the NNPC, Mele Kyari; and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to investigate the matter and prevent further damage.
Paragraph 5: NNPC’s Rebuttal and Production Clarifications
The NNPC, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, denies the allegations of sabotage. The corporation maintains that the planned shutdown is a routine one-month maintenance exercise necessary for the safe and sustainable operation of the refinery, adhering to global best practices. Soneye assures the public that there are sufficient reserves of diesel, kerosene, and other petroleum products to ensure uninterrupted supply during the maintenance period. He also clarifies earlier statements regarding the refinery’s production, confirming that the old Port Harcourt refinery is operating at 70% capacity and utilizes a blending component from Indorama Petrochemicals to meet gasoline specifications, a standard practice in the industry.
Paragraph 6: Conflicting Reports on Refinery Performance and Product Output
Despite the NNPC’s assertions, conflicting reports raise questions about the actual performance and output of the Port Harcourt refinery. The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) states that the refinery is primarily producing naphtha, not gasoline, and their members are not sourcing petrol from the facility. Furthermore, a report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicates that the refinery has been operating below 40% capacity, contradicting the NNPC’s claim of 70% capacity utilization. These discrepancies highlight the uncertainty surrounding the refinery’s true operational status and raise concerns about the transparency and accuracy of information provided by the NNPC.
