By Tina Amanda
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has commended the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the successful resumption of production and loading activities at the Port Harcourt Refinery after six years of inactivity.
During the ceremonial commencement at Alesa Eleme, Rivers State, PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, applauded NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Mele Kyari, for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the project.
He described the milestone as a testament to the dedication of the NNPCL team and the funding determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The PETROAN President noted that the smiles on the faces of stakeholders and community members at the event reflected the positive impact of the refinery’s return to operations.
He expressed optimistic that the resumption of production at the Port Harcourt Refinery will:Generate job opportunities, Boost the national economy, and foster competition in the downstream sector, ultimately driving down petroleum product prices.
He reaffirmed PETROAN’s commitment to working closely with NNPCL Retail management and other stakeholders to ensure the efficient distribution of petroleum products across the country.
Dr. Gillis-Harry also extended his gratitude to the host communities for their peaceful cooperation during the refinery’s rehabilitation. He called on RCC, the contractor handling the East-West Road, to accelerate the completion of the Eleme section.
“This critical road must be made accessible to facilitate the safe movement of petroleum trucks, considering the hazardous and flammable nature of the products,” he urged.
The resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery is expected to strengthen the nation’s energy security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and create a ripple effect of economic benefits nationwide.
