Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its operational status.
This invitation was sequel to Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he alluded to advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company suggesting the Refinery would not function effectively.
SPDC, according to Obasanjo, was approached to acquire equity in the Refinery, but hesitated and expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations. The former Nigerian leader also alleged that the national oil company has been misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.
NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, while responding to Obasanjo’s claims, however, invited the former president to visit the facility saying the company is committed to transparency and accountability.
Soneye also called on Obasanjo to work with NNPCL in its determination to guarantee Nigeria’s energy security while he added the NNPCL embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery and has moved from oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.
“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated.
“Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.
“As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.
“We welcome President Obasanjo to witness the transformation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. This is not a mere Turnaround Maintenance, but a comprehensive overhaul aligned with global standards.
“The revitalisation of refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna underscores the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy security.
“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.
“Regarding his (Obasanjo’s) recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC. The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity, NNPC Limited.
“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organization to a profit-oriented global energy company.”
“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.
“We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation,” he said.
