PETROAN Raises Concern Over Port Harcourt Refinery Delay

The Petroleum Merchandise Retail Shops House owners Affiliation of Nigeria has requested the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted to provide it a timeline for the completion of the brand new 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery.

The demand comes six months after NNPC promised to unveil the brand new 210,000 bpd plant. PETROAN stated in an announcement issued on Monday that it was compelled to specific deep concern over the persistent delays within the completion of the continuing rehabilitation of the power.

After launch of the previous 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt refinery in November, NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, acknowledged that the corporate had made substantial progress on the brand new 210,000 bpd Port Harcourt refinery, which he stated would start operations “quickly” with out prior bulletins.

Six months later, the NNPC has but to make an extra announcement in regards to the progress of the stated facility.

In an announcement by its Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, PETROAN alleged that “regardless of quite a few assurances from the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted and its officers, the mission has suffered repeated setbacks, with completion deadlines being missed a number of occasions.”

The affiliation added that although it applauded the completion of the previous refinery, the second have to be accomplished urgently.

“Whereas we acknowledged and applauded the graduation of the previous Port Harcourt refinery with the capability of 60,000 barrels per day, we can’t stress sufficient the pressing want for commissioning, transparency, and accountability of the second Port Harcourt refinery with the capability of 210,000 barrels per day.

“PETROAN due to this fact calls for that the NNPC present a particular and real looking timeline for the completion and commissioning of the second Port Harcourt refinery rehabilitation mission,” the assertion learn partly.

The retailers burdened that Nigerians and stakeholders wish to know the precise date of supply of the revamped mission.

“The Nigerian folks deserve readability on once they can count on the second refinery to begin operations and contribute to assuaging the nation’s gasoline shortage challenges. Moreover, we name on the related authorities to make sure that the NNPC adheres strictly to the contract timeline, as soon as supplied, and maintains common communication with stakeholders on the mission’s progress.

“Given the worrisome nature of those delays and their far-reaching implications for the nation’s economic system and welfare, PETROAN calls on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by organising a high-level facilitating panel. This panel ought to comprise related stakeholders, together with representatives from PETROAN, NMDPRA, NUPENG, PENGASSAN, MEMA, DAPPMAN, NNPC, and different trade consultants, to establish bottlenecks, present options, and make sure the mission’s well timed completion,” the affiliation demanded.

The assertion quoted The Nationwide President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, as stating that the graduation of operations on the 210,000 barrels capability refinery at Alesa Eleme will enhance Nigeria’s petroleum sufficiency and affect value stability.

He lamented that the mission is operating past schedule. “The continual delay within the completion of the Port Harcourt refinery rehabilitation mission is unacceptable, and Nigerians should know when the mission shall be accomplished. The massive quantity borrowed for the mission must be a critical concern to all residents, and we’ll demand accountability for each naira spent on this mission,” Gillis-Harry was quoted.

He added that the present emptiness within the workplace of the Managing Director of the Port Harcourt refinery might be a big barrier to the mission’s progress.

“We strongly suggest that the Group Chief Government Officer of NNPC appoint a substantive Managing Director for the Port Harcourt refinery within the shortest potential time. This appointment would supply the required management and course to drive the mission ahead and guarantee its well timed completion.

“The extended delay within the refinery’s completion not solely undermines the nation’s efforts to attain self-sufficiency in petroleum merchandise but additionally exacerbates the financial hardship confronted by tens of millions of Nigerians. It’s crucial that decisive motion is taken to deliver this mission to fruition with out additional delay,” he added.