In an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed concern over the non-functioning state of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
‘These refineries have been down for a long time now, and it is affecting our economy and the lives of ordinary Nigerians,’ Lokpobiri said, referring to the ongoing fuel shortages and skyrocketing prices at the pumps.
According to the minister, these refineries have a combined capacity of over 450,000 barrels per day (bpd), but they are not currently contributing to the national fuel supply. This situation has led to Nigeria importing most of its petroleum products.
Lokpobiri urged NNPCL to provide a clear explanation for this state of affairs and to take immediate steps to rectify the issues hindering the refineries’ operation. ‘We need to know what is going on, and we expect action,’ he said.
NNPCL has not yet commented on Lokpobiri’s statements, but it has faced criticism in the past for its management of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
The lack of functioning refineries has significant implications for Nigerian consumers, who are experiencing high fuel prices and long queues at petrol stations across the country. It also raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing domestic energy needs and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.
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