The Port Harcourt refinery faces another delay, with NNPC failing to meet its latest deadline, extending Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has once again delayed fuel production at the Port Harcourt refinery, despite previous promises.

Nigerians continue to await the refinery’s operational start after multiple postponements, causing frustration.

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has once again delayed the start of fuel production at the Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers State.

Despite promises to begin operations by August 2024, the refinery remains inactive, marking the sixth postponement.

In August, NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, announced that fuel production would begin in September. However, as the month ended, there was no update on the refinery’s status.

Several inquiries to the NNPC by journalists went unanswered, further fuelling public frustration.

The contractor responsible for the refinery’s rehabilitation, Maire Tecnimont SpA, is expected to provide a project completion update by October 2.

This response follows a letter from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who inquired about the timeline for the refinery’s rehabilitation.

The Port Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, was initially said to have completed mechanical work in December 2023.

Since then, several deadlines have passed, with NNPC officials repeatedly offering new commencement dates. This continued delay has left Nigeria reliant on fuel imports, costing the country significant sums.

Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the refinery’s operation, as it could end the country’s dependency on imported fuel and lower petrol prices.

However, the ongoing delays have led to widespread disappointment, particularly as the NNPC had earlier stated that production would begin as early as April.