The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has intensified its efforts to suppress illegal activities related to oil refining in the Niger Delta area, News About Nigeria reports.
In a recent documentary, NNPC disclosed that within just one week, it had uncovered and seized products from 63 illegal refineries.
Additionally, the company reported the discovery of 19 illegal pipeline connections.
This comes amid growing criticism of the NNPC for the delayed commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.
Despite several promises and postponements, the refinery remains inactive, raising concerns about the company’s ability to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands.
The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC had assured the public that the refinery would be operational this month.
However, as the month progresses, there is still no sign of the facility starting crude oil refining.
In July, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, confidently stated that the Port Harcourt refinery would begin production in early August.
This pledge followed an earlier promise made in 2019, where Kyari claimed that all four of the country’s refineries would be fully operational before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Speaking before the Senate in July, Kyari reiterated this commitment, stating, “By the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products. Specific to NNPC refineries, it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December, but Port Harcourt will commence production in early August.”
As August reaches its midpoint, the continued inactivity of the Port Harcourt Refinery has sparked concerns that this may be yet another unfulfilled promise from the national oil company.
