The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed that work is actively underway at the 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State.
PHRC operates two plants, including the 60,000bpd facility and the 150,000bpd plant. Onanuga revealed that the 60,000bpd refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up production soon.
Contrary to previous claims about a lack of crude oil, Onanuga assured that the refinery is receiving regular crude supplies. He made these remarks following a fact-finding mission to the 60,000bpd refinery on Wednesday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Putting to Rest Rumours About Port Harcourt Refinery Complex: Our Fact-Finding Mission,” Onanuga dismissed the false claims about the refinery’s operations. He stated that the team’s visit confirmed the refinery is functioning effectively, with regular crude supplies and ongoing efforts to increase output.
Onanuga commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for reviving the refinery, which he noted had been on the verge of becoming obsolete. He shared that the refinery now processes a variety of petroleum products, including petrol, kerosene, diesel, and LPG, with upgraded equipment and modernized infrastructure.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the second Port Harcourt refinery, commissioned in 1989, is undergoing significant refurbishment, with old parts being dismantled and new ones installed. While officials declined to provide a timeline for its completion, there is confidence that the second plant will soon be operational alongside its 60,000bpd counterpart.
Onanuga concluded by stating that the fact-finding mission had put to rest any doubts about the refinery’s capabilities, praising NNPCL for transforming the facility into a modern, state-of-the-art operation.
