NNPCL Announces Overhaul of PH, Kaduna Refineries Amid Obasanjo’s Doubts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that its refineries in Port Harcourt and Kaduna are undergoing extensive overhauls aimed at meeting world-class standards. The update comes in response to recent comments from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who raised concerns about the operational status of the refineries after their rehabilitation.

In a statement issued Thursday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Ltd.’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, addressed Obasanjo’s remarks, clarifying that the rehabilitation of both the 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) Port Harcourt Refinery and the 60,000 bpd Kaduna Refinery goes beyond traditional Turnaround Maintenance (TAM). According to NNPC, the revamp of these refineries is a full-scale modernization effort aimed at bringing them up to global standards.

Obasanjo, in his comments, referenced advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which allegedly questioned the viability of the Port Harcourt Refinery, citing concerns over corruption. The former president expressed doubts about the success of the rehabilitation work, specifically on the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

In response, Soneye emphasized that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries is a significant achievement under NNPC Ltd.’s leadership and part of broader efforts to ensure long-term sustainability. He reiterated that similar rehabilitation work is also underway at the second Port Harcourt Refinery and the Kaduna Refinery.

Soneye further extended an open invitation to Obasanjo to visit the rehabilitated refineries and see the progress made. The company remains committed to maintaining the refineries to world-class standards and ensuring their continued operational success.