The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has affirmed that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is operational and actively producing petroleum products. Mele Kyari, the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, made this statement during the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos.
The refinery has been a source of debate since its rehabilitation. NNPC claims the plant is running at 70% capacity and can produce 200 trucks worth of products daily. Currently, only NNPC-owned trucks are collecting products from the facility.
Addressing ongoing doubts about the refinery’s status, Kyari invited human rights activist Femi Falana and other sceptics to tour the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to verify their conditions.
Kyari also addressed the controversy surrounding product blending, explaining that it’s a crucial part of the refining process. “If you don’t blend, you’ll produce low-quality products that could damage vehicles,” he said. He emphasized that blending is necessary because product specifications vary between countries and regions.
“What meets standards in the United States might not meet specifications in Nigeria or elsewhere,” Kyari explained. “Blending ensures that fuel meets the specific requirements of different countries and regions.”
Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe @BusinessDay
