Rivers Fuel Dealers Dispute NNPC’s Claim, Say Port Harcourt Refinery Shut Down Due to Crude Shortage, Not Maintenance

Fuel retailers in Rivers State have openly challenged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) over the recent shutdown of the old Port Harcourt refinery, asserting that the facility was not undergoing any scheduled maintenance as claimed, but was instead shut down due to an ongoing shortage of crude oil supply.

Under the umbrella of the Eleme & Okrika Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association, the group alleged that the refinery had not received crude oil for over three months before it was eventually shut down. The association made these statements at a press conference on Thursday, addressing widespread confusion following the NNPC’s claim that the refinery operated up until Friday, May 24, before being temporarily shut for planned maintenance.

Disputing this narrative, the group explained that operations at the refinery had been gradually stalling due to the unexplained lack of crude oil supply an issue they say has persisted for weeks. They fear that if not addressed, the situation could mirror that of the Warri refinery, which has remained idle despite previous promises of revitalization.

Joseph Obele, the Administrative Secretary and Spokesman for the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), emphasized that the shutdown had nothing to do with maintenance activities. According to Obele, internal memos from the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) management confirmed that the refinery was only able to produce Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and not Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), making operations economically unviable.

“As members of the host community, we have access to privileged information. The shutdown wasn’t due to scheduled maintenance but resulted from the inability to get crude oil for processing,” Obele stated. “The PHRC memo clearly indicated that without PMS output, there’s little value in running the cracking process. The refinery was therefore forced to halt operations because there was simply no crude to refine.”

Obele further urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene, suggesting that the crude oil meant for the Port Harcourt refinery was being diverted and potentially sold on the international market. He expressed deep concerns over what he described as an emerging trend that could undermine the Federal Government’s efforts to boost local refining and reduce dependence on fuel imports.

“If crude oil that should be refined locally is not getting to the refinery, we must ask where is that crude going?” Obele queried. “Our worry is that it’s being diverted to international markets for profit, which directly contradicts President Tinubu’s directive against exporting crude earmarked for domestic use.”

He warned that unless immediate steps are taken to resume crude oil supply, there is little hope of restarting the facility—even beyond the 30-day window mentioned by NNPC. “Crude supply isn’t an overnight process—it takes time to deliver and prepare the input for refining. The tanks are empty. Even if the refinery is ready in 30 days, it won’t function unless there’s crude oil already in the reservoirs.”

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the association, Sunny Nkpe, echoed the concerns and called for the appointment of a qualified Managing Director with hands-on experience in refinery operations to ensure the final stage of the revamp is carried out professionally and transparently.

Nkpe praised President Tinubu’s administration for showing commitment to refurbishing the country’s long-neglected refineries but stressed that consistent and accountable crude supply was non-negotiable for success. He also advocated for increased oversight of crude allocation to prevent underhand dealings and future disruptions.

He urged the NNPC and contractors to respect the 30-day maintenance timeline and provide weekly updates to assure stakeholders of actual progress on the ground. Nkpe also praised the former Managing Director of the PHRC, Ibrahim Onoja, and his team for their dedication to the rehabilitation project, calling for their efforts to be formally recognized and rewarded.

In response to the allegations, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye declined to respond to direct inquiries but had earlier issued a public statement dismissing claims of sabotage. Soneye reiterated that the refinery was undergoing a “scheduled maintenance shutdown” and that operations would resume once safety and sustainability assessments were complete.

According to Soneye, the exercise, which began on May 24, would align with international best practices and is expected to last about one month. He added that sufficient fuel stocks of AGO, kerosene, and other products had been secured to ensure uninterrupted supply during the period.

NNPC also assured Nigerians that it was working in close collaboration with regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to carry out the maintenance activities transparently.

“NNPC remains committed to delivering sustainable energy security for Nigeria,” Soneye stated. “Further updates will be communicated through official channels.”

As the debate continues, stakeholders and citizens alike await clarity on whether the Port Harcourt refinery shutdown was indeed maintenance-related or symptomatic of deeper supply chain problems within the petroleum sector.