Joseph Obele, National Publicity Secretary of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for ruling out the sale of the Port Harcourt refinery. Speaking as a Port Harcourt community stakeholder, Obele said the NNPC’s decision to retain the refinery under government control is worrisome, citing the company’s history of mismanagement and corruption.
Obele argued that privatisation would bring significant benefits such as improved efficiency, capital investment, job creation, and better community relations. He compared the situation to Indorama Petrochemical, a private firm he said has positively impacted host communities. He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and direct the sale of the refinery, assuring that the Port Harcourt community is ready to welcome private investors with open arms.
Last week, NNPC Group CEO Bayo Ojulari reaffirmed the company’s commitment to retaining the refinery, dismissing privatisation as unlikely. He said the decision is based on ongoing technical and financial reviews and that previous plans to restart the facility before full rehabilitation were “ill-informed.” The refinery, closed for maintenance since May 24, remains inactive, fueling public concern. Industry players, including Dangote Group’s President, Aliko Dangote, have expressed doubts about the long-term viability of state-run refineries after years of failed rehabilitation efforts.
