PETROAN has accused ( NNPC) Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, of neglecting efforts to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt refinery.
The claim comes alongside a lawsuit filed by two northern groups at the Federal High Court in Kaduna against NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun. The suit alleges Segun played a “direct and supervisory role” in the failed rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and in the controversial acquisition of OVH Energy.
In a statement on Monday, PETROAN’s Zonal Chairman for System 2E (Eastern Zone), Sunny Nkpe, expressed concern over the slow progress at the Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5), which has been shut since May 24, 2025, for a 30-day scheduled repair. Nkpe, who inspected the facility last weekend, said he was alarmed at the minimal activity and noted that Ojulari had not visited the refinery since taking office four months ago.
“The current GCEO of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, has not physically visited the Port Harcourt refinery in four months, reflecting a lack of passion for its functionality,” Nkpe stated.
He added that contractors on the project complained of being owed for more than a year, which has stalled progress. Nkpe recalled that repairs on the cracking and blending plants of Units 12 and 14 were nearly complete before Ojulari assumed office, but work slowed due to what he described as a lack of funding and commitment. He alleged the delay may be intentional, aimed at granting private refineries a monopoly and the ability to impose higher fuel prices on Nigerians.
Nkpe said PETROAN would consult with other midstream stakeholders including petroleum tanker drivers, independent marketers, and oil and gas suppliers to decide on next steps to push for the refinery’s revival. He lamented that the shutdown has left thousands of tanker drivers, PETROAN members, and Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) staff unemployed.
“Thousands are out of work because the refinery is idle. We must take legitimate steps to bring it back to life,” he stressed.
He argued that restoring operations at the refinery would stabilise fuel prices, curb the dominance of private refineries, and guarantee supply to Aba, Enugu, Makurdi, and other major cities. He urged Ojulari to make the project a priority and called on President Bola Tinubu to order immediate action.
Nkpe further warned that the prolonged delay appears to be driven by vested interests intent on undermining the president’s vision for the oil and gas sector. He noted that during the refinery’s seven-month operational period, local economies flourished, small businesses in host communities saw increased sales, jobs were created, and fuel prices remained stable thanks to competition.
