Host Community Secretary Claims NNPCL Loaded Old Stock at PH Refinery, Not Fresh Products

The secretary of the host community has alleged that NNPCL loaded outdated stock at the PH refinery, sparking concerns about the refinery’s operational standards.

Timothy Mgbere, the Secretary of Alesa community stakeholders, has claimed that the petroleum products loaded from the recently renovated Port-Harcourt Refinery were not newly refined. Instead, they were products that had been stored in the facility’s tanks for up to three years.

He further claimed that, contrary to the refinery’s statement that 200 trucks would be dispatched daily, only six trucks were loaded on Tuesday.

These revelations were made by Mgbere during his guest appearance on Arise TV, as observed by our correspondent on Thursday.

Alesa, one of the ten prominent communities in Eleme, Rivers State, serves as the host community for the Port-Harcourt Refinery.

On Tuesday, the Port-Harcourt Refinery, which has a capacity of 60,000 people, resumed operations after being inactive for years. This development received initial praise from Nigerians and industry stakeholders alike.

The NNPC announced that the recently refurbished complex of the old Port Harcourt refinery, now equipped with modern technology, is functioning at 70 percent of its installed refining capacity.

NNPC noted that the refinery’s daily production would primarily consist of diesel and Pour Fuel Oil, with capacities of 1.5 million liters and 2.1 million liters respectively.

Next, a daily output is produced consisting of straight-run gasoline (naphtha) that is blended into 1.4 million liters of premium motor spirit (petrol), 900,000 liters of kerosene, and 2.1 million liters of low-pour fuel oil.

It was announced that approximately 200 trucks of petrol would be distributed daily into the Nigerian market.

During the interview, the secretary referred to the ceremony as a “party” and emphasized that many units of the old complex are not operational.

He expressed that the Port Harcourt refinery, along with the nearby depot, serves as a crucial economic pillar for the Alesa community. The economic activities generated by these facilities are vital to us as members of this community. However, at present, he doesn’t believe it’s time for celebration because what is being reported in the media differs from our actual experiences on-site.

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As a community member, I can confidently say that what occurred at the Port Harcourt depot on Tuesday was merely for show.

It is simply a facade, as the Port Harcourt refinery—referred to as area five or the old refinery—is only barely operational.

By “skeletal,” I mean that while some units of the refinery have recently become operational, not all parts of the old refinery are currently functional.

I’ll acknowledge that they have at least initiated some action, but it’s inaccurate to claim, as the media suggests according to Femi Soneye, Head of Corporate Communication at NNPC Limited, that they’re already producing 1.4 million barrels per day. That’s simply not true.

“It’s a significant issue; I hesitate to call it a lie. However, as an agency responsible for managing the oil industry on behalf of Nigerians, they shouldn’t disseminate information that isn’t accurate.”

He stated that the real situation on Tuesday was that the NNPC faced pressure to broadcast a reassuring message to Nigerians, claiming everything is fine and suggesting the old refinery has resumed operations.

I can confirm that the Group Managing Director, or CEO of the refinery, has been in Port Harcourt since Monday. Alongside him were other managing directors as well. The MD of the Port Harcourt refinery and those leading the operations department worked tirelessly through Monday night into Tuesday morning due to a major event they had on Tuesday.

“What is the reality? The Old Port Harcourt refinery, complete with its own utilities, differs from the new complex. Additionally, the tank farm that supports this old refinery utilizes a separate loading gantry at the depot.”

He mentioned that NNPCL dispatched only six trucks on Tuesday, relying entirely on the current inventory at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

He emphasized that the refinery is not producing 1.4 million barrels of petrol per day and urged NNPCL to refrain from spreading misleading information intended to deceive Nigerians.

He went on to say, “The event they hosted on Tuesday took place at the new loading gantry directly linked to the refinery. So how does that even work? It’s not possible.”

They went to the storage facility at the old refinery because it contained stock that had been there for over three years.

What they did was release the stock they already had, loaded six trucks with it, and then broadcasted to Nigerians claiming that this came from the old refinery’s production. That isn’t true.

I want Nigerians to know the truth, although they don’t have to take my word for it. Often, even when presented with facts, people can still become influenced by emotions and tribal biases. To clarify the situation: only six trucks were used to test the new loading gantry; this product was not newly refined from an old refinery. Let that be on record.