By DAYO ADESULU
Claims of Old Stock and Limited Operations Raise Eyebrows
Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders in Rivers State, has alleged that the petroleum products recently dispatched from the newly rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refinery were not freshly refined but rather old stock stored at the facility for over three years.
During an interview on Arise TV monitored on Thursday, Mgbere also stated that only six trucks were loaded on Tuesday, contrary to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) earlier claims of dispatching 200 trucks daily from the facility.
“A Mere Show”: Criticisms of the Refinery’s Operations
Mgbere described the reopening ceremony as a “party,” suggesting that not all units of the old refinery are operational.
“The Port Harcourt refinery is merely in skeletal operation. While some units have been brought back online, the full capacity is far from being functional,” he said.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Alesa, Eleme Local Government Area, resumed operations on Tuesday after years of inactivity. The NNPCL announced that the facility operates at 70% capacity and claimed it would release 1.4 million litres of petrol, alongside diesel and kerosene, daily.
However, Mgbere refuted these claims, saying, “The products loaded on Tuesday were from old stock stored for over three years, not newly refined outputs.”
Community Concerns About Transparency and Accountability
Mgbere emphasized the refinery’s economic importance to the host community, describing the operations as vital to local livelihoods. However, he expressed disappointment in the misinformation shared by the NNPCL.
“As an agency holding the oil industry in trust for Nigerians, the NNPCL should avoid spreading false information,” Mgbere said.
He called on Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability, adding that the refinery’s management was under pressure to present an overly positive narrative about the facility’s status.
Key Highlights of the Allegations
- Old Stock Utilized: The products loaded on Tuesday reportedly came from storage tanks, not fresh refining.
- Limited Dispatch: Only six trucks were dispatched, far below the claimed 200 trucks daily.
- Skeletal Operations: Only parts of the old refinery are functioning, with many units still offline.
- Pressure to Showcase Success: The refinery’s leadership allegedly worked round the clock to stage the reopening event.
