Nigerians demand action against Mele Kyari as Port Harcourt Refinery fails to restart operations for the seventh time

Nigerians have voiced their disapproval of the handling of the state oil company by the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari after several failed promises of ensuring functionality of the country’s refinery.

 

 

 

The Port-Harcourt refinery was slated to begin operations by the end of September but failed to meet the deadline making it the seven time it is missing to restart.

 

 

In July, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated categorically that the refinery would come into operation in early August.

 

 

 

He had earlier promised that the refineries would be functional before the end of former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in May 2023.

 

 

 

The NNPC had earlier promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations not less than six times.

 

 

 

The most recent date was promised by the Chief Financial Officer of the NNPC, Umar Ajiya, who said the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in September 2024.

 

 

 

In a recent reply to an enquiry by legal luminary, Femi Falana, SAN, it was noted that the contractor overseeing the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery said it would provide details on the project’s completion by or before October 2.

 

 

 

The contractor conveyed this through a law firm, Olajide Oyewole LLP, in response to a letter from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who had inquired about the completion timeline for the refinery’s rehabilitation.

 

 

 

Falana had written to them on September 17 and 24, respectively regarding the contract with the NNPC.

 

 

 

“Our client is considering your letters and they intend to get back to you on or before 2 October 2024,” the law firm had said.

 

 

 

While appearing before the Senate in July, Kyari also stated that, “I can confirm to you, Mr Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.

 

 

 

“Specific to NNPC refineries, we have spoken to a number of your committees, and it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December, it will get to December, both Warri and Kaduna, but that of Port Harcourt will commence production early August this year.”

 

 

On X, Nigerians have offered their two cents on why the nation’s refineries are not working.

 

@DanielRegha said: “Delaying the re-opening of our government-owned refineries seems intentional at this point, there’s no reason why Nigeria shouldn’t have a functioning refinery or rely on Dangote. This is pathetic. I weep for this nation.”

 

@feyifrank said: “It’s like mele kyari don commot hand for this NNPC matter, na Tinubu just never ready to sack am yet cos I can’t wrap my head around the 7th time missing of the target date without any reasonable excuse.”

 

 

@DrJoeAbah said: “Imagine missing your performance target in the office 7 times. | P’Harcourt refinery misses seventh production rollout deadline.”

 

@CRawkeen asked: “Who is supposed to sack Mele Kyari?”

 

@OKARIAUKE said: “I don’t know the hidden agreement that is still keeping Mele Kyari at the NNPCL till date.”