The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has officially confirmed the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company for a scheduled one-month maintenance operation beginning Saturday, May 24.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, who described the move as a “planned maintenance and sustainability assessment.” The announcement corroborates an earlier report by Saturday PUNCH indicating the refinery’s temporary closure.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown,” Soneye stated, adding that the exercise will be carried out in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to ensure transparency and efficiency.
While assuring the public of continuous fuel supply, Soneye emphasized the company’s readiness to maintain energy security during the maintenance period. “We have adequate volumes of AGO, kerosene, and other products to ensure uninterrupted supply,” he added.
In response to concerns raised by local fuel retailers in Eleme, Rivers State—home to the refinery—who alleged sabotage by unnamed officials, the NNPC dismissed the claims. Soneye reiterated that the shutdown was purely a safety and sustainability measure aligned with global best practices.
“The refinery remains fully operational as of now, and the scheduled maintenance is critical to ensuring its safe and sustainable operations going forward,” Soneye noted.
Further updates regarding the progress of the maintenance will be shared through the NNPC’s official communication channels, he added.
The Port Harcourt refinery, a key component of Nigeria’s domestic fuel production infrastructure, has undergone various phases of rehabilitation in recent years. The latest shutdown marks another step in ongoing efforts to revamp the country’s refining capacity.
