PETROAN Raises Alarm Over Port Harcourt Refinery Shutdown, Demands Transparency and Timely Repairs

By HeapNews

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has voiced serious concerns over the recent shutdown of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery for maintenance, warning that any delay beyond the scheduled 30-day repair window could worsen fuel supply issues and economic hardship for Nigerians.

Speaking on behalf of the association, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, acknowledged that the maintenance was necessary but cautioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) against exceeding the promised timeline.

“We understand that repairs are essential, but we are deeply worried that the 30-day schedule might not be realistic, given the usual bureaucratic bottlenecks,” Gillis-Harry said. “Any further delay will not only affect fuel supply but also cripple the businesses of our members who have invested heavily in products purchased from NNPC refinery depots.”

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The association warned that delays could lead to fuel scarcity, market monopolization, and increased hardship for millions of Nigerians. It also expressed concern that without transparency and proper oversight, the project could drag on longer than expected.

To prevent these outcomes, PETROAN made several key demands:

1. Inclusion of PMS Blending Unit: The association insisted that the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blending unit must be part of the repair plan. “Crude oil cracking is meaningless without the PMS blending process,” Gillis-Harry stated.
2. Timely Completion: PETROAN urged NNPCL to ensure repairs are finished before current product stocks are depleted to avoid artificial scarcity and pricing issues.
3. Preventing Monopoly: The association emphasized that timely repairs would help preserve competition in the downstream sector and protect consumers from exploitative pricing.
4. Creation of Monitoring Task Force: PETROAN called on the Minister of Petroleum to set up a task force comprising all stakeholders in the petroleum industry to oversee the repairs and ensure accountability.
5. Weekly Progress Briefings: It also recommended that the task force provide weekly public updates on the repair progress to maintain transparency.
6. Prompt Contractor Payments: The association urged the federal government to ensure that contractors involved in the repair work are paid promptly to keep the project on track.

“We want to avoid a repeat of past failures. This is a critical time for the nation, and transparency, efficiency, and urgency are non-negotiable,” Gillis-Harry concluded.

PETROAN warned that failure to meet these demands could have far-reaching consequences on Nigeria’s economy and the already strained petroleum distribution network.