By Joke Kujenya
YEARS OF anticipation and failed timelines culminated in a breakthrough as the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State resumed crude oil processing in Nigeria, Tuesday.
This development followed an extensive rehabilitation effort initiated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited in May 2021.
On Tuesday, petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Household Kerosene (HHK), began loading onto trucks, marking a critical milestone in Nigeria’s quest for energy independence.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, described the resumption as a monumental achievement during a brief ceremony in Port Harcourt.
Kyari emphasised the significance of this milestone for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security, attributing the success to the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the collaborative efforts of the NNPC Board, staff, and contractors.
He praised Nigerians for their patience and promised continued efforts to bring the Warri and Kaduna refineries back online.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, lauded NNPC’s accomplishment and reaffirmed the agency’s support for ongoing refinery rehabilitation projects.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) rehabilitation, an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) project, has achieved over 16 million manhours without a single Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Despite several setbacks, including missed deadlines in December 2023 and March 2024, stakeholders have remained committed to restoring the refinery to full operational capacity.
NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, highlighted the refinery’s return as a turning point, stating, “This milestone heralds a new era of energy independence and economic transformation for Nigeria.”
He confirmed that alongside crude oil processing, truck loading had commenced, with a commitment to reviving the Warri Refinery in the near future.
Kyari also stated that the Port Harcourt Refinery’s resumption symbolises the President’s Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s energy sector, which has long been plagued by inefficiencies and dependency on imported petroleum products.
With production underway, stakeholders are optimistic about the broader impact on local economies and energy accessibility, he asserts.
