The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has claimed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) shut down the Port Harcourt Refining Company merely to avoid embarrassment. According to IPMAN, the facility had already ceased petrol production for about three months prior to the official shutdown announcement.
In a chat with our correspondent, IPMAN’s Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, questioned the timing of NNPC’s announcement, pointing out that the refinery had not been operational despite being declared active since November. He insisted that marketers had long turned to the Dangote refinery and importation to meet supply needs, rendering the Port Harcourt facility’s downtime insignificant.
NNPC, in a statement released on Saturday, confirmed the shutdown for scheduled maintenance. Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, stated that the exercise began on May 24, 2025, and would involve a comprehensive sustainability assessment. Soneye added that the company was collaborating with regulatory authorities to ensure the process was transparent and efficient.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed concerns about the shutdown. Its spokesperson, Joseph Obele, noted that the facility had already gone offline since Thursday, raising fears of job losses and fuel shortages. PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry urged the NNPC to adhere strictly to the 30-day timeline to avoid prolonged disruptions. He also emphasised the need to include the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit in the repairs, stating that without it, the refinery’s output would be of little value.
Gillis-Harry recommended the establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force to monitor progress, provide weekly updates, and ensure transparency. He also urged timely contractor payments to prevent further delays.
In response to speculation, Soneye denied sabotage claims and said the maintenance was a critical safety measure aligned with global standards. He assured the public of sufficient stock to meet demand during the period.
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) also weighed in. Its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, said NNPC’s refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri were not reliably producing PMS, but mostly naphtha. He noted that DAPPMAN members would continue sourcing fuel from the Dangote refinery or through imports, as permitted by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
NNPC had previously announced in November 2024 that the rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery had resumed operations at 70% capacity, mainly producing diesel and fuel oil, along with smaller volumes of PMS, kerosene, and naphtha. However, industry players now allege that the PMS output was not derived from refining crude oil on-site but from blending processes with Indorama Petrochemicals.
