The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and other critics of the Port Harcourt refinery for a tour of the facility. This move comes as the NNPCL maintains that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is fully operational, with loading operations running smoothly.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye emphasized that the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the refinery at the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos. Kyari defended the refinery’s blending process, stating that blending is an integral part of the refining operation.
Kyari explained, “If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products, which will destroy your vehicles. Every refinery blends because what is on specification in the United States of America will be off spec in Nigeria and elsewhere. Blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions.”
Kyari further highlighted that the President’s executive orders in the oil and gas sector were already producing positive results, including increased investments and job prospects in the industry.
This comes after NNPCL confirmed the commencement of crude processing and the truckout of petroleum products at the Port Harcourt refinery. Despite the refinery’s reopening after extensive rehabilitation, its viability and authenticity have been the subject of public debate, with some critics questioning its current operational status.
