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Most recently, the Port-Harcourt refinery has been touted to begin operations by the NNPCL on seven occasions, all of whom have not been fulfilled as of the time of this report.

Amid the challenges on fuel availability facing Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has failed in its several promises of ensuring functionality of the country’s refinery.

Most recently, the Port-Harcourt refinery has been touted to begin operations by the NNPCL on seven occasions, all of whom have not been fulfilled as of the time of this report.

In July, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated categorically that the refinery would come into operation in early August. 

He had earlier promised that the refineries would be functional before end of former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in May 2023.

The NNPC had earlier promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations not less than six times.

The most recent date was promised by the Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, Umar Ajiya, who said the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in September 2024.

In a recent reply to an enquiry by legal luminary, Femi Falana, SAN, it was noted that the contractor overseeing the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery, said it would provide details on the project’s completion by or before October 2.

The contractor conveyed this through a law firm, Olajide Oyewole LLP, in response to a letter from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who had inquired about the completion timeline for the refinery’s rehabilitation.

Falana had written to them on September 17 and 24, respectively regarding the contract with the NNPC.

“Our client is considering your letters and they intend to get back to you on or before 2 October 2024,” the law firm had said.

While appearing before the Senate in July, Kyari also stated that, “I can confirm to you, Mr Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.

“Specific to NNPC refineries, we have spoken to a number of your committees, and it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December, it will get to December, both Warri and Kaduna, but that of Port Harcourt will commence production early August this year.”

SaharaReporters had noted that Nigeria continued to import refined petrol, importing 20.2 billion litres of petrol in 2023 fiscal year alone with its refineries continuing to be moribund. 

Monies spent on the refineries have also failed to have impacts with no single drop of petrol to show for it.