Bulk petroleum retailers in Port Harcourt have called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently release funds needed to complete the repair works at the old Port Harcourt refinery. The refinery has remained shut beyond its scheduled reopening date, causing economic hardship for dealers.
According to the Chairman of the Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association, Mike Amadi, “The old Port Harcourt refinery was shut down on May 24, 2025, for a scheduled 30-day repair. Unfortunately, it has been 60 days, and the refinery remains non-operational.” Amadi condemned the failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to reopen the refinery, citing the devastating impact on the economy and business activities in host communities.
Amadi urged President Tinubu to intervene, stating, “We respectfully, yet urgently, call on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in this matter, as the delay may irreparably undermine his administration’s transformative agenda for Nigeria.” The association submitted three critical requests to the president:
– Ensure timely funding for contract execution to facilitate project completion
– Restart production by early August 2025
– Ensure a stable crude oil supply for refinery startup
The call for intervention comes amid concerns over the government’s investments in its refineries. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, recently revealed that the government’s investments in refineries were not yielding the desired results. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, also expressed doubts that the refineries may never work again despite $18 billion spent on their maintenance.
Manufacturers, marketers, and many Nigerians have asked the Federal Government to sell off the refineries. However, the dealers’ association is pushing for the refinery to be revived, citing the potential economic benefits for the host communities. As Amadi noted, “We humbly, yet emphatically, submit that the Old Port Harcourt refinery commence production… to revitalise the economy and alleviate the suffering of our people.
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