The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for shutting down the Port Harcourt Refinery, accusing the company of incompetence despite spending $1.5 billion on its rehabilitation.
Speaking with DAILY POST on Saturday, PETROAN National President Billy Gillis-Harry said the shutdown is a clear sign of poor management and lack of sincerity on the part of NNPCL.
His statement followed an announcement earlier that day by NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, who said the refinery would be shut down starting May 24, 2025, for “planned maintenance and sustainability assessment.”
However, no date was given for when operations would resume.
Gillis-Harry questioned the shutdown, especially since the refinery had only resumed operations in November 2024.
He suggested that the move casts doubt on the refinery’s actual production capabilities.
This development also comes just days after PETROAN raised concerns about ongoing delays in the rehabilitation of not only the Port Harcourt Refinery but also the Warri and Kaduna refineries, which remain out of operation.
