News
Nigerians now in limbo as Port Harcourt Refinery stops operations
Nigerians are now in confused state as operations at the Port Harcourt Refining Company which started operations earlier this week has suddenly stopped operations .
A visit to the refinery on Friday revealed a lack of activity, with workers on-site attributing the lull to ongoing calibration processes expected to continue into the following week.
The refinery, which has experienced numerous delays in its rehabilitation and operational relaunch, was inaugurated on Tuesday by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
During the event, it was announced that 200 trucks of petrol were being loaded daily.
However, skepticism arose after reports suggested that the trucks were loaded with old stock from storage tanks rather than newly refined products.
During the visit to Area 5 of the facility, there were no visible signs of production. An anonymous official disclosed that the trucks had been filled with “dead stock.”
“Before the refinery was shut down between 2015 and 2016, we had leftover products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and Automated Gas Oil (AGO). These were stored in large quantities in the tanks and later evacuated during the refinery’s rehabilitation,” the official explained.
The source added that much of the petrol was off-spec, requiring water separation and further treatment to render it suitable for use.
“For the kerosene, it remains in the tank post-refinement and hasn’t been moved to commercial distribution channels,” he said. “What was loaded were old stocks still in the system. Once these are cleared, the tanks will be cleaned, and the new product will be introduced.”
The worker criticized the refinery’s reliance on manual processes, calling for a transition to automated systems.
“What they’re doing now is manual, which doesn’t align with modern digital pump systems. Many of the pumps used during the inauguration were refurbished,” he noted.
Kyari’s Tuesday visit reportedly saw the preparation of seven trucks, though only five were loaded with petrol.
During the inauguration, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria Chairman Taken Ikpaki had expressed optimism about increased truck activity in the coming days. However, rather than an uptick, the number of trucks has decreased.
By 1:30 p.m. on Friday, our correspondent observed idle workers and stationary trucks. Nine trucks were parked, but the loading bays, numbered 1 to 18, were deserted.
“They are removing water from the PMS,” a worker in overalls said. “Maybe there will be loading later, but we’re not sure when.”
Another employee cited calibration of the meters as the cause of the delay.
Sources revealed that ongoing calibration might extend through Monday, with kerosene and diesel loading anticipated to start thereafter.
Local residents expressed frustration over the lack of progress. A resident of Alode, Eleme Local Government Area, identified as Osaro, commented, “After all the ceremony with Kyari, they continued ‘loading’ only in the media.”
Dr. Joseph Obelle, spokesperson for the Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, attributed Friday’s inactivity to calibration efforts.
“They are calibrating the pumps and should finish today,” Obelle said.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Petroleum toured the refinery on Thursday, but findings from the visit have not been disclosed.
Efforts to reach NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye for comments were unsuccessful. However, the NNPC has dismissed claims by a local community leader, Timothy Mgbere, who alleged that the refinery was not operational.
In a statement, Soneye described Mgbere’s comments as a “display of ignorance” about refinery operations.
“The old and new Port Harcourt refineries now operate as an integrated facility, sharing utilities like power and storage tanks,” Soneye explained. He urged the public to disregard misinformation.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening diplomatic relations with the country.
Belgian Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt stated this during a courtesy visit by the Diplomatic Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DICAN), led by its Chairman, Frederick Idehai, at the embassy in Abuja.Discussions centered on fostering collaboration, particularly in capacity-building initiatives for DICAN members and other areas of mutual benefit.
Addressing the delegation, Ambassador Leenknegt also commented on the ongoing discord between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as an unnecessary distraction, urging key stakeholders to promote dialogue and reconciliation in the interest of national stability.
Speaking further, Ambassador Leenknegt has some reservation over what he described as “sloppy journalism” among Nigerian Journalists which needs to be corrected.
This unpalatable adjective, according to the envoy, stems from an experience he had when he visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“It was a fruitful meeting I had with the FCT Minister with key areas of interest well highlighted.
“However, the next day I was surprised to find in over 13 print and online media that the meeting the previous day, was between the outgone Ambassador of the Embassy and with his photograph attached.
“This was a meeting I personally attended so how could they attribute it to my predecessor and attached his photo?
“That’s terrible and what it meant was that one person goofed and others copied from the original source without due verification,” he lamented.
Earlier in his remarks, DICAN Chairman, Comrade Idehai Frederick emphasised that the partnership will enhance cultural exchange between Nigeria and Belgium.
He said the role of media in promoting democracy, good governance and bilateral relations cannot be overemphasized.
“We will provide your country with the needed support in the area of quality and credible reportage for the sake of humanity,” Idehai said.
The visit also touched on the upcoming DICAN Diplomatic/Security International Conference, scheduled for June 19, 2025, in Abuja to brainstorm on how to make the world a better and safer place.
“We want to enhance bilateral relations through our engagement and agenda setting.
“When governments across the nations of the world know that journalists are interested in monitoring their programmes, they wake up and address their challenges,” Idehai stated.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has strongly condemned the recent killings of about 16 Nigerians, mainly northerners, by an armed group in Edo State.
In a statement signed by Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa JC, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Madaki, and other leaders of the caucus on Saturday, the caucus described the attack as “barbaric” and “reprehensible,” warning that if such violence is not curbed, it could threaten national peace and unity.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement read.
The lawmakers urged Nigerians to avoid taking the law into their own hands and instead seek the intervention of law enforcement agencies when faced with security concerns.
The Minority Caucus called for swift action, and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“We implore all Nigerians to never resort to such jungle attacks on their fellow citizens but to always implore the services of lawful authorities whenever they notice any issue of concern.
“In the face of this grave incident, which is already setting emotions on edge in parts of the country, we hereby call on the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to direct the security agencies to investigate this matter and bring all those involved in the killings to book in order to prevent its recurrence. And also adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” they demanded.
The caucus also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and allow the government to handle the matter.
“We also call on all Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to get to the root of this matter in the interest of justice,” the caucus stated.
The lawmakers extended their condolences to the families of the victims, and assured Nigerians of their commitment to ensuring justice is served.
“We express our sincere sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims even as we assure them and all Nigerians that we, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, will remain eternally vigilant until justice is done on this matter,” the statement continued.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Suspected gunmen abducted a landlord and his daughter in the Ijede area of Ikorodu in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos police spokesperson, said the kidnappers abducted the victims on Wednesday.
Hundeyin added that on Saturday, the command rescued the kidnapped victims unhurt and handed them over to their family members.
According to the police spokesperson, the command has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
“The police received information that some kidnappers invaded Ijede community and kidnapped two persons,” the statement reads.
“Upon receipt of the report, police operatives were mobilised to the scene where it was observed that the kidnappers forcefully gained entrance into the house of a 40-year-old man, killed the security dog and kidnapped him.
“The kidnappers equally forced their way into the nearby house and kidnapped the landlord’s 25-year-old daughter.
“With the collaborative efforts of both the police joint task force and other stakeholders, the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and handed over to their family members.
“The area is relatively calm and being closely monitored, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the wanted suspects.”
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