The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has confirmed that its operations were not entirely halted but scaled down temporarily to implement improvements.
This clarification came as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) expressed concerns over the potential high cost of petrol produced at the facility.
On Sunday, PHRC officials addressed claims by oil retailers suggesting that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was selling petrol from the refinery at N1,030 per litre—about N60 higher than petrol from the Dangote Refinery.
While NNPCL denied the claims, it has yet to disclose the official price of petrol from the newly upgraded refinery.
During a guided tour of the facility, Executive Director of Operations at the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company Limited, Moyi Maidunama, reassured journalists of ongoing operations.
He acknowledged a temporary reduction in output to address technical issues, stating, “The operations were not halted but scaled down for necessary upgrades. We are currently managing distribution using available loading arms, and normal operations will resume soon.”
Terminal Manager Worlu Joel highlighted ongoing product distribution, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), kerosene, and diesel.
However, he noted low turnout from tanker drivers, despite surplus products and operational loading arms.
“We’ve already dispatched over 10 trucks today and expect to load at least 15 by the end of the day,” Joel said.
PHRC Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, emphasized significant upgrades at the refinery, including replacing outdated equipment to enhance efficiency and reliability.
