Shutdown of PH Refinery: NNPCL Bars Staff from Media Engagements

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The management of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) has issued a stern directive barring its staff from speaking to the media regarding the controversial shutdown of the company’s old refinery for maintenance.

According to an internal memo signed by Leo Njoku, Human Capital Management (HCM) Lead for the O&M PHRC Project, the Area 5 Plant of the refinery is scheduled for routine turnaround maintenance (TAM) aimed at boosting operational efficiency. During this period, staff have been instructed not to entertain media inquiries or engage with any unidentified individuals found within the refinery premises.

The memo warns that officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), government agencies, and journalists may visit the facility during the shutdown. However, employees are to “mind their business and focus strictly on their assigned duties.”

The communication further emphasised that speaking to the press constitutes a breach of civil service regulations and would attract disciplinary measures. The HCM department will reportedly monitor staff compliance throughout the maintenance period.

The TAM is part of broader efforts to revive Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products. However, the process has come under increased scrutiny following revelations by the new NNPCL management that large funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation under the previous leadership headed by Melee Kyari were misappropriated. This led to the arrest of the former managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Despite earlier claims that the old Port Harcourt refinery had resumed operations after a rehabilitation process, the current NNPCL Group Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, last week announced a fresh shutdown of the plant to pave the way for another round of maintenance, sparking widespread public concern.

Reacting to the development, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) voiced apprehension over potential delays. The group urged strict adherence to the 30-day timeline set by NNPCL to prevent disruptions in fuel supply.

In a statement released by Joseph Obele, the association’s National Public Relations Officer, the National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, cautioned that the deadline may not be realistic given past challenges. PETROAN warned that delays could deepen the country’s ongoing economic woes.

To enhance transparency and ensure timely delivery, the association made the following demands:

Inclusion of the PMS Blending Unit in the maintenance scope, describing it as essential to the crude oil refining process.

Establishment of a task force to provide weekly updates on the project’s progress.

Prompt payment to contractors handling the repairs to avoid project delays.

PETROAN maintained that meeting the 30-day deadline is vital for maintaining market competition and easing the burden on Nigerian consumers.