Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to explain why the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are currently not producing petroleum products.

Lokpobiri made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television, following concerns over the operational status of the three government-owned refineries.

The minister said NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, had informed him that the facilities were not currently producing refined products.

According to Lokpobiri, between N23.84tn and N33.11tn has been spent on turnaround maintenance of the refineries over the past two decades.

He said NNPCL should account to Nigerians for the expenditure and explain why the facilities remain unable to contribute to domestic fuel supply.

Lokpobiri also disclosed that the government was exploring partnerships with Chinese companies that could provide fresh investment for the rehabilitation of the refineries.

His comments come amid continued concerns over petrol prices, with motorists in Abuja and neighbouring areas reportedly paying between N1,395 and N1,450 per litre.

The Port Harcourt refinery was declared operational in November 2024 under former NNPCL GCEO Mele Kyari, but operations were halted in May 2025.

The government has also pursued rehabilitation programmes for the Warri and Kaduna refineries as part of efforts to restore Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

The latest development has renewed questions over the billions of naira committed to the rehabilitation of the state-owned facilities and their ability to contribute to the country’s petroleum supply.