The Port Harcourt Refining Company, a refinery managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Rivers State, has once again delayed the start of its operations, marking the sixth postponement.
Since December 2023, NNPC has announced various start dates, reassuring the public that the refinery would soon begin selling refined products.
In July, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, confidently declared that the refinery would kick off operations in early August.
Kyari had previously stated in 2019 that NNPC would successfully bring all four of the country’s refineries online before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
While appearing before the senate recently in July, Kyari boasted, “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.”
