Abuja, (TheGavel)
Energy stakeholders have criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) for delaying the operationalization of the Port Harcourt Refinery, exacerbating recurrent fuel scarcity and price hikes. The stakeholders expressed their concerns to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, citing the unending fuel queues and price increases across the country.
Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), faulted NNPCL for failing to provide updates on the refinery’s status. He emphasized the need for consistent and clear updates to foster trust and manage public expectations.
NEITI’s previous reports revealed that N200 billion was spent on the refinery’s turnaround maintenance between 2020 and 2021, with no significant progress. Orji led a team that assessed the refinery in April and found impressive work ongoing, but noted the need for test running and certification by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Dr. Benjamin Tamaramiebi, National President of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), expressed dissatisfaction with NNPCL’s handling of the refinery repairs. He called for concerted efforts to ensure the refinery becomes operational and encouraged the government to support the Dangote Refinery.
Dr. Sand Mba-Kalu, an economic expert, emphasized the need for clear updates and swift action to ensure the refinery’s timely completion. He noted that the delay has stifled economic growth, job creation, and industrial development.
Businessman Akinola Oladapo lamented how the high fuel price has stalled his business and expressed frustration with NNPCL’s inconsistency on the refinery’s commencement date.(NAN)
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