The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and National President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery has resumed operations and is producing essential petroleum products.
Speaking during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of PENGASSAN in Abuja on Tuesday, Osifo disclosed that the refinery, which had undergone extensive rehabilitation, began production last week. According to him, the facility is now producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, as well as Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or diesel), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and other products.
Osifo clarified the refinery’s operations in response to questions from journalists. He said, “Does Port Harcourt Refinery produce AGO today? The answer is yes. Does it produce DPK today? The answer is yes. Does it produce PMS today? The answer is yes.”
He further explained that while the refining process involves technical terms and stages that might not be widely understood, the key takeaway for the general public is that the refinery is delivering on its primary mandate of producing fuel. “The man on the street does not understand what CTU is or what is classified. What the man on the street understands is PMS, kerosene, and diesel. Are we getting these from Port Harcourt? The answer is yes,” Osifo emphasized.
The PENGASSAN President also expressed optimism about the progress made at the refinery but called on the government to intensify efforts to complete the full rehabilitation of the facility. He noted that while the current output is a positive development, achieving full operational capacity at all of Nigeria’s refineries is critical to meeting domestic fuel demand and reducing dependency on imports.
In addition, Osifo reiterated his call for the privatization of the country’s refineries to enhance their efficiency and profitability. He argued that private sector involvement would ensure the facilities are managed in a sustainable and transparent manner.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, once a symbol of Nigeria’s self-reliance in petroleum refining, had been dormant for years due to neglect and underfunding. Its recent rehabilitation is seen as part of broader efforts by the federal government to revitalize the nation’s energy sector and curb fuel importation costs.
Osifo’s comments have sparked optimism among stakeholders who hope this marks the beginning of a turnaround for Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry. However, he urged continued vigilance to ensure the gains made are sustained and extended to other refineries in Warri and Kaduna.
