The NNPC, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, had indicated that the planned maintenance and sustainability assessment of the refinery's Area 5 plant would commence on May 24, 2025. Soneye’s statement also highlighted the company’s collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the maintenance activities.
However, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, articulated the association's core concern: the historical precedent of maintenance projects extending beyond their initial estimates in Nigeria. This fear of "usual bottlenecks" potentially derailing the 30-day schedule is a significant driver behind their proactive stance. The association warns that any protracted delay could exacerbate existing supply challenges and further intensify economic hardships for millions of Nigerians who are already grappling with various economic pressures.
Crucially, PETROAN has underscored the imperative that the repair process specifically includes the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit. They argue that the crude oil cracking process, while essential, becomes largely inconsequential without the functional capacity to blend PMS, the widely consumed petrol. This emphasis highlights the practical concerns of retailers who are at the forefront of dispensing fuel to consumers.
Furthermore, the retailers' association has made a strong demand for the NNPC to complete the repairs before existing national petroleum product stocks are depleted. Their rationale is rooted in preventing market monopoly and ensuring a stable, competitive supply environment. Timely completion, they believe, is vital for maintaining market competition, which ultimately benefits consumers through price stability and accessibility, and contributes positively to the overall economic landscape.
To foster transparency and accountability, PETROAN has put forth a recommendation for the Minister of Petroleum to establish a dedicated task force. This task force, ideally comprising representatives from all petroleum industry stakeholders, would be responsible for monitoring the 30-day repair progress and providing weekly public briefings to Nigerians. Such a measure, they contend, would not only ensure the repair schedule is met but also build public trust and confidence in the process. Prompt payments to contractors handling the repairs were also cited as a critical factor in avoiding delays and keeping the project on track.
Meanwhile, an internal memo circulating within the refinery, specifically pertaining to the Area 5 plant shutdown, has raised eyebrows. The memo, reportedly issued yesterday, strictly cautioned staff against interacting with external individuals or divulging information to the media. It further reiterated that, as government workers, engaging pressmen in interviews is against Labour Law, warning of severe disciplinary action for any defaulter.
This internal directive, while perhaps intended to manage information flow, could be perceived by some as an attempt to control the narrative surrounding the maintenance work, potentially fueling the very concerns about transparency that PETROAN is seeking to address. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be closely watched by stakeholders and the public alike as the Port Harcourt Refinery embarks on this critical maintenance phase.