Oil marketers have hailed the long-awaited resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, a facility that had been dormant for years, draining Nigeria of billions in foreign exchange through petroleum imports.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited announced on Tuesday that the refinery is back in operation, with trucks already loading petrol, diesel, and kerosene from the plant.
At a ceremony marking the refinery’s reopening, NNPC’s Group CEO, Mele Kyari, described the event as a “historic achievement” for Nigeria, emphasizing its potential to bolster energy independence and economic progress.
“This milestone represents a new era for Nigeria,” Kyari declared. “It underscores our commitment to energy security and economic transformation.” He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support of the rehabilitation project and praised the NNPC Board, staff, and contractors for their efforts in overcoming challenges to bring the refinery back online.
Reacting to the development, the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, expressed enthusiasm but urged caution until pricing details are clarified.
“We feel very happy, and it is good news for everybody,” Shettima told reporters. “But we cannot say much yet. We are waiting for NNPC to disclose the price it will sell its products, and that will determine how marketers will react.”
The successful restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery is a key step in Nigeria’s strategy to reduce dependency on imported petroleum products and to strengthen its domestic energy sector.
