As Nigerians continue to express concerns over the recent hike in fuel prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), Gistreel provides the latest developments on petrol scarcity, fuel pricing, and the reactions from both the government and citizens.
The operational capacity of the recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refining Company came under scrutiny on Thursday amid allegations that the petroleum products loaded from the facility earlier in the week were not freshly refined but had been stored in its tanks for over three years.
This revelation has intensified doubts about the refinery’s efficiency, which has faced multiple delays and missed operational deadlines, including seven unsuccessful attempts to resume full operations.
Speaking on Thursday, Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, challenged NNPCL’s claims, stating that the refinery’s capacity of 60,000 barrels per day is not being fully utilized. The Alesa community, situated in Eleme, Rivers State, is home to the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Mgbere alleged that only six trucks of petroleum products were dispatched on Tuesday, contrary to NNPCL’s assertion of a daily dispatch capacity of 200 trucks. He also described the plant’s reopening ceremony as mostly symbolic, arguing that full-scale operations have not yet commenced.
Oil marketers have expressed reservations about patronizing the rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refinery unless its products are priced more competitively than those from the Dangote Refinery.
While reports surfaced that NNPCL’s petrol was being sold at ₦1,045 per litre, the company clarified on Wednesday that it had not officially set any prices, as bulk sales have not yet begun and its purchasing portal remains inactive. For now, products from the Port Harcourt Refinery are being supplied exclusively to NNPCL stations.
Meanwhile, oil marketers imported 105.67 million litres of petrol into Nigeria between November 23 and November 28. Many are considering importation as a viable alternative if the current pricing trend persists.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has voiced concerns over the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Port Harcourt Refinery. The association revealed that petrol from the facility is ₦75 per litre more expensive than that from the Dangote Refinery.
During the refinery’s reopening event on Tuesday, PETROAN Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, acknowledged the federal government’s efforts to restore the refinery but emphasized the need to address pricing discrepancies.
Operating at a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, the Port Harcourt Refinery represents a significant milestone in revitalizing Nigeria’s domestic petroleum production. However, oil marketers and stakeholders are urging the government to ensure competitive pricing to maximize its impact.