The Port Harcourt Refining Company, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in Rivers State, has once again failed to commence operations despite numerous assurances and about six previous postponements, The PUNCH reports.
The much-anticipated restart of the refinery, which has been plagued by delays, has left stakeholders and the public frustrated. The refinery, one of Nigeria’s key assets in the oil and gas sector, has been undergoing rehabilitation, with the hope of boosting the country’s refining capacity and reducing dependence on imported fuel.
This latest delay adds to a series of missed deadlines that have drawn widespread criticism, particularly as the nation continues to grapple with fuel supply challenges and the rising cost of imported petroleum products.
While the NNPC has yet to provide a clear reason for the most recent setback, there are growing concerns about the effectiveness of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts and the financial implications of the continued delays. The refinery’s inability to come back online as scheduled raises questions about the future of Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and the broader impact on the economy.
As the situation unfolds, there are calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the refinery’s rehabilitation process, with many urging the government to ensure that the refinery is fully operational as soon as possible to alleviate the nation’s energy woes.
