The Port Harcourt Refining Company is set to undergo a scheduled maintenance shutdown lasting up to 30 days, Saturday PUNCH has learned. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) insists the refinery remained operational as of Friday, local fuel marketers allege the facility was shut down on Thursday night.
Retailers in Eleme and Okrika host communities to the refinery have strongly opposed the move. In a joint statement, the Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers accused refinery coordinator Bayo Adenrele of unilaterally ordering the shutdown without clear communication, suggesting it was a deliberate act to undermine the revitalized 60,000 barrels-per-day plant in favor of private sector interests.
The statement, signed by community leaders Sunny Nkpe, Emmanuel Inimgba, Dr. Joseph Obele, Tekena Ikpaiki, and Dickson Obelley, alleged that Adenrele had deliberately withheld crude oil supply and was acting to benefit a private refinery competitor.
They warned that the shutdown could spark a fuel shortage, granting undue advantage to private refiners and worsening Nigeria’s already fragile economic situation.
“Engr. Bayo’s actions are not only detrimental to refinery operations but also harmful to the host communities, which have been excluded from contract awards, employment, and development opportunities,” the statement read.
The group further claimed that Adenrele’s decisions had delayed progress on both the new and existing refinery units, potentially resulting in job losses for local workers.
They demanded the immediate appointment of a substantive Managing Director to ensure leadership stability and called on key officials including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and NNPC Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari to intervene.
“We will lawfully resist any attempt to cripple this refinery after such substantial public investment,” the statement added.
Responding to the allegations, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, dismissed the sabotage claims. He confirmed that the refinery would undergo a month-long safety maintenance exercise to uphold operational standards.
“The refinery remains operational. This scheduled maintenance is consistent with global best practices. We have ample reserves of diesel, kerosene, and other products to maintain stable supply,” Soneye stated.
Meanwhile, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) noted that NNPC’s refineries, including those in Port Harcourt and Warri, are currently producing naphtha, not premium motor spirit (PMS). This limits their commercial appeal.
DAPPMAN Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, explained: “Until these refineries begin efficient PMS production, our members will rely on imports or source from the Dangote refinery, as provided under the Petroleum Industry Act.”
In November 2024, NNPC had announced the partial resumption of the Port Harcourt refinery at 70% of its 60,000 bpd capacity, targeting 90% eventually. At the time, the facility produced over a million litres each of diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, and PMS (the latter blended from naphtha).
Addressing ongoing concerns, Soneye noted that blending naphtha with components from Indorama Petrochemicals is standard industry practice.
However, a more recent April 2025 report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicated that the refinery was operating at less than 40% of its capacity.
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