Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has officially confirmed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is now operational.
Onanuga shared this confirmation via a post on his X account early on Thursday, after he and a delegation visited the refinery on Wednesday to verify reports regarding its functionality. This visit followed concerns from some Nigerians who questioned the refinery’s reported revitalization, which was initially announced by its management.
The Port Harcourt Refinery resumed crude oil processing on November 26 after several years of inactivity. However, some doubts were raised about its operational status, with critics questioning whether the refinery had truly returned to production.
After the visit, Onanuga stated that he can now personally confirm the refinery is back in operation. He urged Nigerians to disregard any misinformation circulating about the facility. Onanuga was part of a fact-finding team that toured the 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery, accompanied by its Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja. During the tour, the team inspected various sections of the complex, including the computerized control room and loading bays, and posed detailed questions to address any concerns.
While acknowledging that the refinery is not yet operating at full capacity, Onanuga clarified that it is currently running at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to increase production soon. He also emphasized that the refinery is receiving regular crude oil supplies, contrary to claims that it lacked sufficient crude for processing.
Onanuga further shared that the refinery is producing a range of petroleum products, including kerosene, low-pour fuel oil, LPG, diesel, and gasoline, the latter of which is blended with other products to make the petrol used in vehicles. He and his team even tested samples of these products during their visit.
A key highlight of the visit was the confirmation that outdated machinery at the refinery has been replaced with modern equipment that meets international standards. The refinery’s overhaul has brought it up to 21st-century specifications, with parts of the facility, including some 300 kilometers of new pipelines, having been upgraded or replaced entirely. Onanuga described the transformation of the refinery from a facility stuck in the 20th century to a state-of-the-art plant.
Additionally, the team visited the second Port Harcourt refinery, commissioned in 1989, where workers were seen dismantling old and rusted parts in preparation for installation of new components. While officials did not provide a timeline for its completion, there was a general sense of optimism that it would soon be operational and able to contribute alongside the 60,000-barrel refinery.
Onanuga concluded by commending the efforts of NNPC Limited and the refinery team for successfully revitalizing what was once a deteriorating asset on the brink of becoming obsolete. His statement put to rest the doubts and false information surrounding the Port Harcourt Refinery’s operations.
