Port Harcourt Refinery: Coalition Group calls For Patience For August New Operational Date

BEING A PRESS TEXT OF CONFERENCE ON THE ISSUES CONCERNING REHABILITATION PROJECT OF PORTHACOURT REFINERY BY HUMANITIES WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE AND OTHER CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION ON THE 12TH AUGUST 2024

Gentlemen of the press, I welcome you to this all important press briefing by Humanities Welfare and social development initiative in collaboration with
coalition of Civil Society organization which has painstakingly noticed the continuous attack on the personality of the GCEO Mr Mele Kyari whose leadership frantic and commendably sincere efforts in rehabilitating and repositioning the Port Harcourt Refinery where Rehabilitation work has been ongoing for over two years.

It is worthy to note that on the 6th April 2021, the refineries front NNPC had made good on its promise to rehabilitate the refinery by pushing through the procurement process culminating in the signing of the &1.5 bn Engineering , procurement and construction (EPC) agreement a transparent process with Tecnimont SPA for the complete rehabilitation of the portharcourt refinery and the flag off of construction was done on the 7th May 2021.

The recent trend of tagging every public office holders as criminals (thieves ) is unpatriotic. You will recall that upon the removal of fuel subsidy which resulted to hike in price of fuel to #617 , at that time the exchange rate of a dollar to naira was about a #750 but today with the current reality of flotation of naira, the dollar has doubled that amount which has affected the society negatively it is notably to state that despite the raise in exchange rate of the dollar to naira the GCEO of NNPCL has consistently prioritize the yearning need for availability of PMS(fuel) even though IPMAN has frustrated this efforts.

However, with the NNPCL and the Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee’s dedication to revamp and re-operationalize the Port Harcourt refinery so as to boost daily petrol supply by some 11 million litres to 15 million litres by this August, as was recently revealed by GCEO Mele Kyari- an incredibly laudable development that should be applauded and celebrated by all; perhaps for previous promises by the NNPCL to conclude the Portharcourt refinery rehabilitation project and begin production within previously speculated dates- the most recent been by the end of March, which unfortunately didn’t happen for obvious reasons, we are distraught and concerned to observe and notice disparaging comments from various quarters sponsored by some high profiled business personalities in the oil sector, widespread skepticism and a lack of confidence in the NNPCL’s sincere efforts to deliver within the latest stated record time- this August.

It’s against this backdrop and to support the NNPCL’s efforts, that our civil society coalition wishes to state the obvious very clearly as a matter of utmost importance that Nigerians should keep faith in the said promise made by mr mele Kyari,
the Portharcourt refinery rehabilitation project is ongoing and possibly further corroborate and reinforce NNPCL’s promise of Portharcourt refinery’s readiness this August, Nigerians seems to be losing patience which is undoubtedly valid this has necessitated our swift actions via Press conferences, media engagements and conversations in various foras to boost, deepen and manage stakeholders’ confidence in the rehabilitation process, bringing much needed positive publicity, appreciation, encouragement and endearment to the good work of the NNPCL which is justifiable by the recent submission of the IPMAN controller in an interview with Channels TV.

The NNPCL has undergone alot of progressive reforms towards accountability, transparency and nation-building which include ;

I. Publication of monthly financial and operational reports

II. publication of Audited financial statements.

III. Passage of the Petroleum industry act. 2021.

IV. Ajekuta- Kaduna -Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project.

V. Rehabilitation / Upgrades of system 2b facilities atlas -cove depot optimization project .

VI. Rehabilitation of NNPC Towers

VII. Upgrade of 5 NNPC jetties to international ship and port facility security (IPS) code

VIII. Re-modeling and completion of uncompleted 4 storey research, Technology and innovation (RTI) building in Abuja.

More also we believe the NNPCL and Nigeria’s oil industry needs the overarching support of Nigerians and various civil society groups especially in shaping public opinion on the workings and mandate of various stakeholders in the sector to reduce the numerous conflicts, brainwashing, half truths and incitements that Nigerians are easily misinformed.

Finally as part of NNPCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under the erudite leadership of Mr mele Kyari has done so much for few to be mentioned

I. Construction and Rehabilitation of 21 Federal Roads (RITCS)

II. Maiduguri emergency power project.

III. Construction of hospitals under fronter exploration services (FES) cooperate social responsibility for upper benue Trough.

IV. Resolution of disputes around oil Blocks to boost production OML 25 & OML 125

As a civil society organization we shall not fold our hands and watch the assassination of mr mele Kyari’s character especially in the major controversies of the oversight functions of the adhoc committee of the National assembly. , Be assured of our highest solidarity and Patriotism for Nigeria always.

Long live the HUWESDI AFRICA

Long live Coalition of Civil society organization (CSOs)

Long live the NNPCL

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

For and on behalf of Civil Society coalition

Felix Nnalue Attah
(ED/ National Convener , Humanities Welfare and social development initiative)
0806 618 0920