The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has commended the Federal Government and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the successful operation of the Port Harcourt refinery, which has been running non-stop for 180 days.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, PETROAN expressed appreciation for Tecnimont Nigeria Limited, the contractor responsible for the refinery’s rehabilitation, noting the company’s professionalism and expertise in delivering the project. The association also praised the cooperation of the host communities during the rehabilitation process.
“The refinery, which was commissioned in October 2024, has been running continuously for 180 days up until March, a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the success of the rehabilitation project,” PETROAN said in the statement.
The association further highlighted that its members are now loading diesel and kerosene from the refinery, while NNPCL retail marketers are loading Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). This development has not only ensured a steady supply of petroleum products but has also helped eliminate the circulation of fake kerosene and diesel in the market.
The Port Harcourt refinery, which had been inactive for over 20 years, was revived with a loan from Afreximbank and the expertise of Tecnimont Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the Maire Tecnimont Group. The refinery was officially relaunched in November 2024.
PETROAN also acknowledged several key individuals and organizations for their roles in the successful operation of the refinery. The managing director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, Ibrahim Onoja, was lauded for his dedication to the project’s success. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority received praise for its regulatory oversight, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the refinery.
The association also extended its gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for securing funds for the rehabilitation, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, for his supervision, NNPCL Group CEO, Mele Kyari, for his leadership, and Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Hubb Stockman, for effective product marketing.
This achievement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to revitalize its local refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
