THE Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), yesterday, asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to strictly adhere to the 30-day repair timeline announced for the recently shut down the old Port Harcourt Refinery.
This comes as NNPCL on Saturday announced the shutdown of Port Harcourt Refinery on the basis of maintenance and sustainability assessment.
Raising concerns over the potential impact of delays, PETROAN says the rehabilitation—though necessary— must not exceed the scheduled duration if the nation is to avoid worsening supply disruptions and economic hardship.
Speaking on behalf of the association, PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said while the shutdown for maintenance was expected, the association fears that Nigeria’s long-standing infrastructural bottlenecks may derail the process.
“We understand the refinery requires repairs, but we are urging NNPCL to ensure that the 30-day window is not just another announcement with no real follow-through. Delays could translate into greater suffering for Nigerians,” he said.
Among PETROAN’s key demands is the inclusion of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit in the ongoing maintenance. According to the association, without it, the entire crude cracking process may offer little value in boosting petrol supply.
The association is also calling on the Federal Government to take active steps in monitoring the process. It recommends the creation of a task force made up of members of the Petroleum Industry Stakeholders Forum to oversee the repair operations.
To ensure transparency and public confidence, PETROAN is also asking for weekly updates on the repair progress and urging that payments to contractors be handled promptly to avoid delays.
“The inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in a monitoring task force and timely communication with Nigerians will ensure accountability,” said Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s National Public Relations Officer.
The group warned that failure to complete the repairs on schedule could lead to market monopolization, limited supply, and rising costs—developments that would directly impact consumers and the already strained economy.
With rising inflation and lingering fuel distribution challenges, PETROAN says swift and transparent action on the Port Harcourt refinery is not just a technical necessity but a national economic imperative.
