The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has warned that any delay in the 30-day repair schedule for the Port Harcourt refinery could plunge Nigeria into a fresh fuel crisis.

In a statement on Saturday, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry said while the shutdown of the old Port Harcourt refinery for maintenance was necessary, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) must ensure it keeps to its word.

“We understand the refinery requires repairs, but we are urging NNPCL to ensure that the 30-day window is not just another announcement with no real follow-through. Delays could translate into greater suffering for Nigerians,” Gillis-Harry said.

The group emphasized the inclusion of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit in the maintenance project, saying without it, the repairs may offer little value in improving petrol availability.PETROAN is also urging the Federal Government to set up a special task force made up of members of the Petroleum Industry Stakeholders Forum to monitor the process and ensure transparency.

“The inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in a monitoring task force and timely communication with Nigerians will ensure accountability,” added Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer.The association is demanding weekly updates on the progress of repairs and prompt payment to contractors to avoid any stalling of work.

Failure to meet the timeline, PETROAN warned, could lead to market monopolization, limited fuel supply, and soaring prices — compounding the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians.“Swift and transparent action on the Port Harcourt refinery is not just a technical necessity but a national economic imperative,” the group stressed.