Port Harcourt Refinery Shuts Down Again Weeks After Operations Resumed

Less than a month after resuming operations, the Port Harcourt Refinery has ceased production, leaving the facility dormant and impacting the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Sources disclosed that petrol loading at the refinery’s depot stopped on December 13, following a brief period of activity. Observations around the facility revealed an empty 18-arm loading bay, a stark contrast to its usual bustling state.

Trucks waiting to load PMS were seen parked both within and outside the refinery premises, with drivers reporting a lack of communication regarding the halt in operations. “It’s been over a week since the last truck was loaded. Nobody is providing any explanation,” said a truck driver who preferred to remain anonymous.

A petroleum product marketer, Dappa Jubobaraye, criticized the refinery’s state, alleging that the reported resumption of operations was a mere façade. “Since the inauguration, no real production has taken place. The event was just a show to create the illusion that the refinery is operational,” he claimed.

He further disclosed operational challenges at the facility, noting, “Only three out of 18 loading arms are functional, and they are riddled with leaks. Initially, they loaded a few trucks to maintain appearances, but even that has stopped. There’s no pricing mechanism for independent marketers, so they can’t purchase tickets to load products. It’s all been staged for optics.”

Jubobaraye expressed frustration over the slow pace of work, stating, “How can a loading arm that can handle 20 to 30 trucks daily only manage 10 or fewer? And this is only for PMS. Kerosene and diesel loading have not even started. This affects the ordinary people the most.”

The refinery, initially seen as a potential solution to Nigeria’s fuel challenges, now faces renewed scrutiny over its management and operational effectiveness. Industry observers have called for transparency and accountability to address the ongoing challenges.