Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd, has announced a planned maintenance shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, just 24 hours after the Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers accused the refinery coordinator, Engr. Bayo Aderenle, of orchestrating a plot to cripple the plant in favor of private refinery interests.
In a statement signed by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd said the shutdown will begin today, May 24, 2025, to allow for scheduled maintenance and a sustainability assessment of the facility.
“This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025,” the company stated, adding that it is working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to ensure transparency and efficiency.
The announcement follows strong allegations from host community leaders who, in a widely circulated statement, claimed Engr. Aderenle was deliberately starving the plant of crude oil in a bid to shut it down and give market dominance to a private refinery he allegedly fronts.
“We hold Engr. Aderenle directly responsible for this impending crisis, his actions are driven by selfish interests rather than the nation’s economic well-being,” Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Host Community Petroleum Bulk Retailers, Chief Sunny Nkpe, said in the statement issued yesterday.
The group also alleged that his conduct has stalled the full rehabilitation of both the old and new refinery units, warning that the planned shutdown would lead to job losses among local youths engaged in operations and maintenance.
While NNPC Ltd has not officially responded to the sabotage allegations, its timing has intensified scrutiny around the refinery’s operations, especially after years of costly rehabilitation and public anticipation of full resumption.
“NNPC Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable energy security for Nigeria,” Soneye said, promising further updates through official channels.
As the refinery goes offline for maintenance, stakeholders and industry watchers are expected to closely monitor whether this shutdown aligns with technical realities or validates community concerns about internal sabotage and monopolistic interests.
