The presidency announced on Tuesday that the Port Harcourt Refinery’s Old Wing has commenced operations, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency. Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications, Sunday Dare, revealed via his X (formerly Twitter) handle that the refinery is now processing 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with 200 trucks ready to transport petroleum products daily.
This development follows a series of missed deadlines for the refinery’s operation. In 2021, the Federal Government allocated $1.5 billion to rehabilitate the facility, which had been non-operational since 2019.
Sunday Dare described the refinery’s revival as “Renewing the Hopes of Nigeria,” emphasizing its potential to reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
Despite being a leading crude oil producer, Nigeria has struggled with limited refining capacity. This issue has led to heavy reliance on fuel imports and significant economic implications. The removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 further underscored the urgency of operationalizing local refineries to stabilize prices and improve energy security.
As production ramps up, the refinery’s success is expected to impact Nigeria’s energy sector positively. Stakeholders are hopeful this progress will address longstanding challenges in fuel availability and affordability.
