Stakeholders and community leaders around the Port Harcourt Refinery have doused the groundswell of rumours and speculations that the recently revived and restreamed refinery was not working.
Last Tuesday, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, announced the “safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” which it stated marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance and also “signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”
However, naysayers went to town disclaiming the news, saying the corporation was lying about its revival of the refinery.
Interestingly, Dibia Isaiah, Chief Security Officer, Alesa Kingdom, Rivers State, and NNPC Pipelines & Storage Company Loader, said in a viral video, “I am one of the loaders from the host community and NPSC. As you can see, the refinery is operational and running smoothly.
“This morning, I have already loaded four trucks. We are delighted that business has finally commenced after many years. The refinery has given us products, so now we are loading, and tomorrow we are loading. This time is a very busy period for us.”
Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr Peter Obi, has commended the Malam Mele Kyari-led NNPCL for “fulfilling the long-standing promise of revamping the old Port Harcourt refinery.”
He added, “The refinery boasts an installed production capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Approximately 200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery. Nigerians now await the corresponding impact and benefits on pump prices and the overall economy.”
Obi further said that the news of the Port Harcourt Refinery’s revival is promising, “as it is expected to boost productivity, improve transportation, and alleviate economic burdens across the country.” He signed off the statement with his signature ‘A new Nigeria is POssible.”
