by NIyi Jacobs
Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has confirmed that the Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity. This announcement follows a fact-finding visit to the 60,000 barrels per day refinery, where Onanuga and his team assessed the state of operations.
Onanuga stated that the refinery is receiving regular crude oil supplies, contrary to previous claims suggesting a lack of crude for processing. He reassured the public that, although the refinery is not yet functioning at full capacity, it has made significant progress and plans are underway to increase production soon.
The visit, which was guided by the refinery’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, allowed the team to tour various sections of the facility, from the computerized control room to the loading bays. After thorough inspections and discussions, Onanuga declared that the refinery is in good condition, dispelling rumors and misconceptions about its operations.
Onanuga praised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for revitalizing the refinery, which had been close to becoming obsolete. He commended the efforts made to return the facility to operational status, acknowledging that the refinery’s capacity is gradually increasing after a period of inactivity.
The refinery’s capacity is still far from its 250,000 barrels per day potential, but Onanuga’s visit and the team’s findings indicate that the Port Harcourt refinery is on track for further production improvements.
