Host communities of the Port Harcourt Refinery, including Okrika and Eleme Local Government Areas, have raised serious concerns over the recent shutdown of the refinery by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The communities suspect sabotage and are demanding strict adherence to the 30-day maintenance timeline to avoid further disruptions.
At a media briefing, Chief Sunny Nkpe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the HOSCOM Bulk Petroleum Retailers, called on NNPCL to respect the maintenance deadline, warning, “We believe it is an attempt to shut it down like Warri and other refineries… the 30-days shutdown should be strictly adhered to else the public would hold them responsible.”
Nkpe also urged the Federal Government to appoint a substantive Managing Director with strong technical expertise to oversee the refinery’s smooth operations.
He added, “We are requesting the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bayo Ojulari to quickly appoint a new managing director for the refinery so that the rehabilitation can go smoothly and set goals achieved.”
Pastor Tekena Ikpaki, Administrative Chairman of HOSCOM and IPMAN Rivers State Unit Chairman, warned the shutdown risks creating an artificial scarcity of fuel, urging for phased maintenance instead of a complete shutdown.
“If this 30-day timeline is not met, it could create artificial scarcity in Rivers State and beyond,” he said.Inimgba Emmanuel, BOT Secretary and IPMAN Eastern Zone Secretary, appealed for vigilance, stating, “The refinery was shutdown and we were in wilderness for years… This alarm we are raising is to protect the interest of the public.”
Further, Dr. Joseph Obele, Administrative Secretary, voiced fears the shutdown could pave the way for a private refinery monopoly, potentially driving up fuel prices. “We fear this shutdown could be an orchestration to give monopoly to a particular private refinery,” he warned.
He recalled, “When the old Port Harcourt Refinery came up, prices dropped to between N800 and N900 per litre. If the shutdown extends beyond 30 days, Nigerians risk paying nearly N2000 per litre.”
The host communities have pledged to remain vigilant and hold NNPCL accountable to ensure the refinery does not fall into prolonged inactivity, urging all stakeholders to protect national interests and avoid fuel scarcity.
