The Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association of Port Harcourt Refinery Depot, representing Eleme and Okrika communities, has raised alarm over the recent shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refinery by the Federal Government. At a media briefing held in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the association, Chief Sunny Nkpe, expressed deep concern that the shutdown may not be temporary as officially stated, but part of a larger plot to create a monopoly in crude oil refining.
“If you want to maintain a plant and you cut off crude oil supply, that becomes worrisome. We were told the shutdown is for 30 days of repairs, but a refinery should have fixed crude stock already in place.” Nkpe, who claims over 30 years of experience working in the refinery, said the decision to halt crude supply has sparked suspicions within the host communities and industry stakeholders.
He disclosed that Universal Oil Products (UOP), an American firm contracted to revamp the CRU (Catalytic Reforming Unit) of the refinery, abandoned the project due to interference from the refinery’s current coordinator, Bayo Aderenle. “As I speak, nothing is going on anymore. Shutting down the plant without crude stock points to the possibility of a permanent closure. We are calling for the appointment of a substantive Managing Director with fresh energy and a capable team.”
He noted that prior to the shutdown, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) output from the refinery was being channeled to NNPC Retail due to limited production capacity. However, he maintained that the Port Harcourt refinery plays a crucial role in moderating petroleum product prices across the country. “If this shutdown continues beyond 30 days, the prices of AGO (diesel), DPK (kerosene), and other products will spike. The economic consequences will be severe,” he said.
Related: Port Harcourt Refinery Set for Maintenance Shutdown – NNPC
Nkpe also warned that any monopolization of crude refining would be detrimental to Nigerians. “This refinery supports competition. Without it, fuel prices could skyrocket. We won’t sit back and watch vested interests jeopardize our livelihoods,” he added.
Dr. Joseph Obelle, HOSCOM Administrative Secretary, echoed the same sentiment, saying the shutdown was “orchestrated” to give undue advantage to a private refinery. If this continues, Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦2,000 per litre of petrol. “We the host community bulk retailer is saying the refinery 30 days repair should be stick to that because anything beyond 30 days a particular private refinery will take over and sell fuel to Nigerians at an outrageous price.”
Comrade Emmanuel Inimgba, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, emphasized that the communities will no longer remain passive observers. “We are raising this alarm to protect public interest, marketers, retailers, our communities, and all Nigerians,” he said. The group also passed a vote of confidence on Tecnimont, the engineering firm handling the refinery rehabilitation.
They called on the Federal Government to support the company in completing the rehabilitation work in Areas 1, 2, and 3 of the refinery.“They have already handed over Area 5, which is now shut down, and were close to finishing the rest before this issue arose. It’s critical they are allowed to finish the job,” the group stated.
The Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers urged the Federal Government to act swiftly by addressing leadership issues at the refinery and ensuring the 30-day maintenance deadline is met to avoid economic and social fallout.
