By Ben Nsemo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. has officially recommenced operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), marking a critical milestone in the nation’s drive towards energy independence.
The re-streamed facility has started processing crude oil and distributing petroleum products to the market.
On Tuesday, the refinery in Port Harcourt began the truck-out of products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Household Kerosene (HHK), among others. The event was celebrated during a brief ceremony attended by key stakeholders.
Speaking at the occasion, NNPC Ltd.’s Group CEO, Mele Kyari, described the commencement of product distribution as a “monumental achievement” for Nigeria. He said it represents a step forward in achieving economic growth and energy self-sufficiency.
Kyari acknowledged the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration, he noted, has been instrumental in driving the refinery’s rehabilitation project. He also expressed gratitude to the NNPC Ltd. Board, staff, and contractors for their dedication in overcoming challenges to deliver the project.
“Today’s milestone is a testament to our commitment to restore the nation’s refineries to optimal capacity. We deeply appreciate Nigerians for their patience and look forward to completing work on the remaining refineries,” Kyari stated.
The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, commended the achievement, assuring that his agency will continue supporting efforts to revive other refineries.
The PHRC rehabilitation project carried out under an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) framework, has so far recorded over 16 million man-hours without any incidents of Lost Time Injury (LTI), underscoring the project’s emphasis on safety and efficiency.
With the successful re-streaming of the Port Harcourt Refinery, the NNPC Ltd. takes a significant step towards ensuring stable petroleum product supply and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imports. The company remains committed to restoring all its refineries to full functionality.
