FG leases out Port Harcourt refinery to private companies

The Port Harcourt Refining Company is being offered to private companies for both operation and maintenance.

According to statement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Monday, applications are called for from private companies interested in maintaining and operating the refinery.

NNPCL explained that the decision was made to improve dependability and sustainability to meet the country’s fuel supply and energy security requirements.

A short statement titled, “Request For Expression Of Interest (EOI) For The Provision Of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Services For NNPC Limited Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC),” reads: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is seeking to engage reputable and credible Operations & Maintenance (O&M) companies to operate and maintain one of its refineries, Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), to ensure reliability and sustainability towards meeting the nation’s fuel supply and energy security obligations.

“Complete details on description, eligibility criteria, compliance with the Nigerian Content Act, Submission of EOI documents, closing date and important information are available on our official website when you visithttps://cms1977.nnpcgroup.com/uploads/NNPC_EOI_for_the_Provision_of_Operation_cbfa7aa37a.pdf.”

PHRC reportedly resumed operations last December after it was shut down for rehabilitation by NNPCL for several months.

Amaka Okafor, Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, confirmed the resumption of operation at the refinery.

Amaka said, “Yes, the refinery is set, we will visit the refinery site today to kickstart its operation.”

The $1.5 billion rehabilitation project of the refinery was launched by former President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2019, to restore the refinery to its nameplate capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Lokpobiri and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, in August, assured Nigerians that the refinery would be operational by December 2023.

Kyari also during the budget defence session on December 9, told Nigerian lawmakers that by the end of December 2023, the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations.

He further said that in early 2024, the Warri refinery would begin operation and that by the end of 2024, the Kaduna refinery was expected to also commence operation.