A leading civil society organization, the Network of Oil Producing Communities in Nigeria (NOPCN), has called for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), following the suspension of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery.
The group has accused Kyari of misleading both President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian public regarding the refinery’s operations.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NOPCN, led by Engr. Igeniwari Edward and Comrade Omototsho Ogbe, expressed outrage over Kyari’s alleged role in misrepresenting the status of the refinery. The group corroborated claims made by Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa Community Stakeholders, who exposed the NNPCL’s actions. According to Mgbere, the petroleum products recently loaded from the Port Harcourt refinery were not freshly refined but were rather old stocks stored in the facility since 2016.
Mgbere further revealed that the refinery, which shut down in 2016, had a large quantity of “dead stock” left in its tanks. These products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), kerosene, and diesel, were simply evacuated during the recent rehabilitation process and trucked out, creating the illusion of fresh production. NOPCN insists that the public was misled into believing that the refinery was operating when, in fact, it was not.
“The truth is, the refinery has ceased production again, just days after claims that it was operational,” the group said. “Kyari should be held accountable for this deception and for failing to deliver on promises made to the Nigerian people.”
The NNPCL has denied these allegations, with a statement from its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, rejecting Mgbere’s claims. The NNPCL dismissed the Alesa community leader’s accusations as “misinformation” and attributed them to a lack of understanding of refinery operations. The agency reiterated that the refinery had indeed resumed crude oil processing.
However, recent reports have confirmed that the refinery’s operations have been halted, with only the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) still functioning. While the CDU produces naphtha, kerosene, and diesel, it does not have the capacity to produce PMS (petrol), the most in-demand product. Sources indicate that even at full capacity, the refinery cannot meet the needs of the Nigerian market.
NOPCN has also raised concerns about the significant financial investments made in the refinery, particularly the over $2 billion spent on rehabilitation, and is calling for an inquiry into the management of the funds. The group has urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to sack Kyari and ensure that the promises made regarding the refinery’s revival are fulfilled.
The situation has sparked growing dissatisfaction among host communities, particularly in Eleme, Rivers State, where the Port Harcourt refinery is located. NOPCN has vowed to resist any attempts to convert the refinery into a blending plant, citing potential environmental hazards for local communities.
As the controversy surrounding the refinery continues, all eyes are now on President Tinubu to take decisive action regarding the leadership of NNPCL and address the mounting concerns over the future of the Port Harcourt refinery.
