May 21, 2025 – The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has voiced serious concerns over the prolonged delays in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, urging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to provide a clear and realistic timeline for their completion. The delays are seen as a significant setback to Nigeria’s efforts to achieve energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Persistent Delays in Refinery Rehabilitation
PETROAN, in a statement issued on Monday, highlighted the ongoing challenges in completing the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt Refinery, as well as the Warri and Kaduna refineries. Despite recent progress, such as the Port Harcourt Refinery resuming operations on November 26, 2024, after years of inactivity, the association emphasized that the projects are far from fully operational. The prolonged delays have raised doubts about the NNPCL’s ability to deliver on its promises to restore these critical facilities.
The association noted that the refineries’ rehabilitation is vital for boosting local refining capacity, stabilizing fuel supply, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products. PETROAN’s statement reflects growing frustration among stakeholders in the petroleum retail sector, who are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the NNPCL.
Call for a Realistic Timeline
PETROAN has demanded that the NNPCL provide a specific and realistic timeline for the completion and commissioning of the refineries. The association stressed that clear deadlines would help restore confidence among Nigerians and industry players who have been awaiting the full operationalization of these facilities. The lack of progress has also sparked discussions on X, with users expressing concern over the impact of the delays on fuel prices and availability.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, one of the largest in Nigeria, has been a focal point of these discussions. While it recently resumed limited operations, PETROAN and other stakeholders argue that the pace of rehabilitation across all three refineries remains too slow to meet the country’s energy needs.
Implications for Energy Security
The delays in rehabilitating the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries have significant implications for Nigeria’s energy security. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has paradoxically relied heavily on imported fuel due to the prolonged shutdown of its refineries. The slow progress in restoring these facilities has hindered efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum product refining, contributing to high fuel prices and supply chain disruptions.
PETROAN’s call for action underscores the urgency of completing the refinery projects to bolster Nigeria’s economy and reduce the financial burden of fuel imports. The association also highlighted the need for policies that support local refining without disrupting the supply chain, referencing concerns about potential bans on imported petroleum products that could exacerbate shortages if local production is not ramped up.
Government and NNPCL Response
The NNPCL has acknowledged the challenges and recently conducted inspection visits to the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries to assess the progress of rehabilitation efforts. These visits, aimed at ensuring operational effectiveness, indicate that the NNPCL is taking steps to address the concerns raised by PETROAN and other stakeholders. However, the lack of a publicly disclosed timeline for full completion continues to fuel skepticism.
Industry observers and X users have noted that while the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have shown some signs of progress, the Kaduna Refinery remains a significant concern, with its rehabilitation lagging behind. PETROAN has urged the government to prioritize these projects to prevent further setbacks.
Looking Forward
The delays in rehabilitating Nigeria’s refineries remain a critical issue for the country’s energy sector. PETROAN’s call for a realistic timeline and greater transparency reflects the broader sentiment among Nigerians who are eager for reliable and affordable fuel supplies. As the NNPCL works to address these challenges, the successful completion of the refinery projects could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s energy independence.
For now, stakeholders and the public alike await concrete updates from the NNPCL on when the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries will be fully operational, hoping for a resolution that will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global energy market.
Sources: The Nation Newspaper, X posts
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