…Applaud Bold Transformation

Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have praised the current management team of NNPCL, led by Mr. Mele Kyari, for the impressive rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. After an on-site inspection of the facility, they described the transformation as “magic.”

The former GMDs were in Port Harcourt for their regular Former NNPC GCEOs Forum and took the opportunity on Wednesday to tour the refinery and assess its progress. The erudite energy connoisseurs marveled at the extent the 1965 facility had been modernized into a state-of-the-art plant as they hailed this great and significant achievement.

Among the visiting former leaders were Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, Chamberlain Oyibo, Funsho Kupolokun, and Andrew Yakubu. They commended the bold steps taken by the current management team to modernize a plant originally built in 1965, emphasizing the scale and impact of the achievement.

The facility tour by the Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC ) followed the visit of the oil and gas labour leaders and these visits might be unconnected to the wide skepticism at certain quarters concerning the true operational position of the refinery.

The Former Group Managing Directors Reiterated the previous position of the oil and gas Labour Leaders led by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo who during their visit, have confirmed that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operational and producing high-quality petroleum products.

“This is a rehabilitation project. Those who are merely writing may not fully appreciate what you have accomplished. You are rehabilitating a plant that was originally built in 1965, and for that, we appreciate and congratulate you.

” We encourage you to continue supporting the government in its service to the people of Nigeria,” Gaius Obaseke, Former GMD NNPC said.

“Attempts were made in the past to revamp the plants, but unfortunately, they failed However, this current team, which has championed this noble and remarkable initiative, has done an excellent job.

“I have seen the columns, the heat exchangers, the desalter, and the sample points. The refining process is taking place, and the products are real.” Engr. Andrew Yakubu, Former GMD, NNPC affirmed

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has previously in a media release insisted that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is up and running, with loading operations in full swing, and called on Doubters for Facility Tour.

NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, gave the confirmation on the operational state of the refinery at the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos. He also shed light on the controversy around product blending, stating that blending was not a crime as it is an integral part of the refining process.

“If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles. Every refinery blend because what is on the specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere. Blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions,” he explained.

He disclosed that the President’s interventions in the oil and gas industry by way of Executive Orders were yielding positive results, with more investments coming in and prospects of more jobs in the industry.