The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has commenced the lifting of petroleum products from the Port Harcourt Refinery, marking a significant milestone in the refinery’s rehabilitation.
According to a statement shared on the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the refinery resumed operations and began product distribution at 1:43 pm on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Olufemi Sonoye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, described the development as transformative, stating:
“Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s fuel supply challenges. He noted:
“We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”
The Port Harcourt Refinery, after months of extensive rehabilitation, is expected to bolster the nation’s refining capacity, reducing reliance on fuel imports and enhancing energy security. The lifting of products marks the start of what many hope will be a transformative period for Nigeria’s energy sector.