Port Harcourt Refinery Resumes Operations – FG

In a long-awaited move, the Nigerian government confirmed the reactivation of the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company in Rivers State.

This announcement came on Thursday, marking the commencement of operations on December 20, 2023, following the successful completion of the initial phase of refurbishment at the facility. The government assured citizens that refined petroleum products would soon start flowing from the refinery after the festive season.

This news aligns with the government’s consistent promises earlier in the year, assuring that the Port Harcourt refinery would become operational before the end of 2023.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), personally led the Refinery Steering Committee in inspecting the facility. Lokpobiri extended congratulations to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the general populace, lauding this significant achievement.

Addressing the milestone during the refinery visit, Lokpobiri shared, “This is to announce to Nigerians that in fulfillment of our pledge to complete phase one of the Port Harcourt refinery by the end of 2023… We happily announce the mechanical completion of flare start-up on December 20, 2023.”

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Expressing gratitude to the nation for their patience and trust in the NNPC, Lokpobiri reaffirmed the company’s dedication to honoring commitments and mandates in the refinery’s restoration process.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, emphasized the relentless efforts of the company’s employees, dedicating over 9.6 million man-hours to reinstate the refinery’s operations.

This development follows the formal signing, reported by The PUNCH in April 2021, of a $1.5 billion contract between NNPC and Tecnimont SPA for the refurbishment program of the Port Harcourt Refining Company. This achievement marks a pivotal step in the government’s ongoing endeavor to revitalize Nigeria’s dormant refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri after prolonged periods of dormancy.