Monday May 26, 2025|
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to adhere rigidly to the planned 30-day maintenance schedule for the old Port Harcourt refinery.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 25, PETROAN spokesperson Joseph Obele conveyed the association’s concerns, quoting its president, Billy Gillis-Harry, who urged swift and disciplined completion of the repairs to prevent disruptions in the supply of petroleum products.
“PETROAN is concerned that the 30-day timeline may not be feasible due to recurring bureaucratic obstacles, which could lead to further delays and intensify existing supply shortages,” Obele said.
He warned that any deviation from the timeline could deepen the economic strain already experienced by millions of Nigerians.
The NNPC had earlier announced on Saturday that maintenance work and a sustainability review of the old refinery would begin on 24 May and span a period of 30 days.
Obele outlined the association’s key demands for the rehabilitation process. These include addressing monopolistic tendencies in the sector, integrating the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit into the repairs, establishing an independent monitoring task force, providing weekly progress updates, and ensuring contractors are paid promptly.
Regarding the blending unit, Obele stressed, “The inclusion of the PMS blending unit is critical. The crude oil cracking process becomes redundant without it.”
He further urged NNPCL to ensure the project is completed before existing stockpiles are exhausted, warning that failure to do so could create room for monopolistic control and destabilise the market.
“The successful execution of this repair work on schedule will help maintain competitive balance in the downstream sector, protect consumer interests, and strengthen the national economy,” he added.
To improve oversight and foster transparency, PETROAN has recommended the establishment of a task force under the supervision of the Minister of Petroleum. The group, comprising stakeholders from across the petroleum industry, would be responsible for monitoring the progress of the repairs.
Obele added that the task force should also provide Nigerians with weekly updates on the state of work being done at the facility.
He closed by noting the importance of settling payments promptly to contractors handling the rehabilitation, warning that any delays in funding could jeopardise the repair timeline.
