The Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers (HOSCOM PETBRA) of Port Harcourt Refinery Depot have issued a strongly worded statement calling for the immediate removal of Engr. Bayo Aderenle, accusing him of deliberate sabotage and collusion with private refinery interests to cripple the operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a press statement signed by key board members of the host community, including High Chief Sunny Nkpe, Dr. Joseph Obele, Emmanuel Inimgba, Dickson Obelley and Pastor Tekena Ikpaiki, the group alleged that Engr. Aderenle, who currently serves as Refinery Coordinator, is intentionally shutting down the old Port Harcourt Refinery plant under directives meant to favour a private refinery monopoly in Nigeria’s oil sector.
“As we speak, the old Port Harcourt Refinery is being shut down under his directive, not because of technical failures, but in a bid to hand over market dominance to a private refinery he is believed to represent,” the group alleged.
The group warned that this shutdown would inevitably lead to higher fuel prices and job losses, exacerbating the country’s economic hardship.
They accused Engr. Aderenle of blocking crude oil supply to the refinery, thereby stalling its operations and rehabilitation efforts.
The Host Community leaders also accused Engr. Aderenle of excluding indigenous communities from contracts, empowerment schemes, and scrap sales during the refinery’s rehabilitation process.
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They described his actions as corrupt and self-serving, alleging he sidelined host community interests in favour of personal associates.
“Engr. Bayo has consistently undermined the rights of the host communities. He has delayed the completion of the CRU of the old refinery and slowed down progress in making Areas 1, 2, and 3 of the new refinery fully operational.”
The group voiced fears that the shutdown will result in the disengagement of local workers currently involved in the refinery’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M), jeopardizing the livelihoods of many community youths.
In their demand, the Bulk Retailers called for the immediate appointment of a substantive Managing Director for the Port Harcourt Refinery Company Ltd, stating that a permanent leadership structure is urgently needed to restore order, facilitate ongoing rehabilitation, and preserve the Federal Government’s investment in reviving the plant.
“We will not fold our arms while vested interests destroy this national asset. We will resist this sabotage with every legal means available,” the group declared.
They appealed to the Minister of State for Petroleum, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to urgently intervene and remove Engr. Aderenle from his post.
“The time to act is now. The economic future of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large must not be sacrificed for private gain.”
