Disappointment Over CEO's Visit to NLNG, Not Port Harcourt Refinery
Petroleum retailers in Eleme have voiced their disappointment over the recent visit of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari. The concern stems from the fact that during his trip to Rivers State, Ojulari visited the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) facility in Bonny but did not make a stop at the Port Harcourt refinery.
The Host Communities Bulk Retailers Association of Port Harcourt Refinery, representing the local petroleum retailers, issued a statement expressing their shock and disappointment. They highlighted that Ojulari’s absence from the Port Harcourt refinery was perceived as an insult to the workers and management of the facility. The association emphasized that the refinery plays a crucial role in the country’s refining capacity and deserves recognition and attention.
According to the association, a visit by Ojulari would have been a significant morale booster for the rehabilitation team and contractors working to restore the refinery to its optimal condition. They argued that such a visit would demonstrate his commitment to the success of the refinery and the well-being of its employees. However, they believe that the refusal to visit the refinery indicates a lack of interest in its functionality, which is concerning.
The association called on Ojulari to revisit his itinerary and pay a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Refinery. They believe that understanding the operations and challenges of the facility is essential for effective leadership.
Calls for Immediate Action and Accountability
Last week, the Eastern Zonal Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Emmanuel Inimgba, urged Ojulari to either fix the Port Harcourt Refinery immediately or resign from his position. Inimgba expressed concerns over the delayed maintenance, stating that it is being handled unprofessionally. He recalled that the refinery was shut down on May 24, 2025, for scheduled repairs lasting 30 days. However, the shutdown extended beyond 80 days without any significant activity or commitment under the new GCEO’s administration.
Inimgba lamented that the prolonged shutdown has resulted in thousands of job losses, affecting tanker drivers, marketers, and host community members. He emphasized that fixing the refinery could create jobs, boost the local economy, improve fuel supply and distribution, increase government revenue, enhance energy security, and improve living standards for host community members.
He also mentioned that credible sources revealed that contractors have withdrawn from the site due to a lack of funds, and the GCEO has not visited the refinery in four months. Despite IPMAN’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, Inimgba stated that the association would not allow the GCEO’s actions to sabotage the president’s efforts. If the GCEO fails to demonstrate commitment to the refinery’s rehabilitation, stakeholders and host communities may call on President Tinubu to consider replacing him.
Lack of Communication from NNPC
The NNPC has not responded to media inquiries, as it has failed to appoint a new spokesperson more than a month after the resignation of Olufemi Soneye in June. Since Soneye’s exit, the state-owned oil giant has maintained public silence on media enquiries, leaving journalists and stakeholders without an official channel for responses.
Our correspondent made repeated attempts to obtain the company’s reaction, sending messages to the email address displayed on the NNPC’s official website and through its verified Facebook page. As of press time, no acknowledgment or reply had been received.
Recently, the NNPC officially ruled out the sale of the Port Harcourt refinery, reaffirming its commitment to completing “high-grade rehabilitation” and retaining the plant. However, there are reports that some workers of the NNPC Warri refinery have not been paid for the past four months. The President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, declined to comment when contacted by our correspondent. Akporeha told our correspondent to send him a text, but he has yet to reply to the message at the time of filing this report.
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