As maintenance activities commenced at the Port Harcourt Refining Company, employees of the facility have been barred from speaking with journalists who may visit the plant during the exercise.
A memo sent to workers by the management of the refinery warned them strongly against engaging in any discussion with pressmen or visitors at the refinery, saying there may be sanctions.
According to the memo, made available to our correspondent by sources in Port Harcourt, staff were told to mind their business during the maintenance period when officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and journalists would be visiting the refinery]/b].
The internal memo signed by the Human Capital Management Lead for the Operations & Maintenance, PHRC Project, Leo Njoku, said the HCM will be monitoring staff activities during this period for compliance.
It was emphasised that no one is expected to give out any information about the government refinery, saying it is against labour law.
“[b]Distinguished colleagues, as PHRC is set to shut down the Area 5 plant for routine turnaround maintenance for better efficiency & performance, all O&M personnel should note the following.
“There will be a lot of activities within and around the PHRC premises. There will be a presence of NNPCL top management, government officials, print and media (broadcast) press people visiting the plant for updates on the ongoing maintenance.
“All staff are expected to note the following: Mind your business. No interaction with external people or giving information to the press. As government workers, it is against the Labour Law to engage the Pressmen in interviews.
“It attracts its sanctions. HCM will be monitoring staff activities during this period. There will be severe disciplinary consequences for defaulters. Please be guided and mind your business and face your assigned task,” the memo warned.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited officially announced the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company on Saturday. In a statement, the NNPC confirmed a report by our correspondent that the facility would be shut down for a month for maintenance activities.
According to the NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the shutdown commenced on Saturday, May 24.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown. This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025,” he said.
Soneye added that the company was working with relevant stakeholders to ensure efficiency and transparency during the exercise.
“We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to ensure the maintenance and assessment activities are carried out efficiently and transparently.
“NNPC Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable energy security for Nigeria. Further updates will be provided regularly through our official channels, including our website, media platforms, and public statements,” he stated.
reports that the refinery had not been producing fuel for about three months before it was eventually shut down over the weekend. But Soneye said the plan was operational till Friday.
Our correspondent reports that indigenous fuel retailers in Eleme, the community hosting the refinery, had kicked against the plan to shut down the refinery, accusing some officials of sabotage.
On Saturday, the spokesperson of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, Joseph Obele, insisted that the refinery had been shut down since Thursday. He feared that the shutdown might lead to job losses and fuel scarcity.
In a statement on Sunday, PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry expressed concerns over the development. According to him, though the refinery’s shutdown for maintenance was expected, the association wants the NNPC to adhere to the scheduled 30-day repair timeline to minimise disruptions to petroleum product supply.
PETROAN fears that the 30-day schedule might not be realistic due to usual bottlenecks, potentially leading to further delays and exacerbating supply challenges.
The association is worried that delays in the old refinery’s 30-day rehabilitation schedule may worsen economic hardship for millions of Nigerians,” Gillis-Harry said.
In his demands, he requested the inclusion of a PMS blending unit in the maintenance activity. “PETROAN emphasises that the repair process must include the Premium Motor Spirit blending unit, as the crude oil cracking process is of no value without it,” he said.
He also demanded the timely completion of the maintenance work.
“PETROAN demands that NNPCL complete the repair before existing stocks run dry to prevent market monopolisation and ensure a stable supply of petroleum products. Completing the repair on time will help maintain competition in the market, benefiting consumers and the economy,” he stressed.
