The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has denied reports that Port Harcourt Refinery is inactive, insisting that the newly rehabilitated refinery is still functional.
There have been reports that the refinery which began operation on November 26 has been shut down. However, in a statement released today by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the National oil company said preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.
“The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down. We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former group managing directors of NNPC.
Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing. Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.”