The Port Harcourt Refining Company has clarified that its operations were not completely halted but scaled down to facilitate improvements at the facility.

It disclosed this on Sunday as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria insisted that it would not buy from the Port Harcourt refinery if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited sells fuel from the plant at an expensive rate.

Oil retailers had claimed that NNPCL was dispensing petrol from the plant at N1,030/litre. This is about N60 higher than the price of petrol produced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Although NNPCL denied the claim, it failed to state the price of petrol produced from the newly rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery.

Speaking during a guided tour of the Port Harcourt refinery led by the Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, the Executive Director of Operations, Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company Limited, Moyi Maidunama, said the plant was working.

Maidunama told journalists that there was a temporary hitch in operations, but explained that the reduction in operations was necessary to address technical issues and enhance capacity.

He said, “So, the operations were not halted. It was obviously reduced due to some improvements that we needed to make. We are managing the process with the number of trucks available today, using a few loading arms for evacuation. This should be resolved soon.”

He assured all that product distribution was ongoing, with several trucks loading refined products, and added that the process would continue uninterrupted.

The Terminal Manager, Port Harcourt Depot, Worlu Joel, confirmed that the facility had commenced the distribution of products, including Premium Motor Spirit, kerosene, and diesel.

He, however, expressed concerns over the low turnout of tanker drivers.

He said, “We have surplus products available and operational loading arms, but we’ve had to beg tanker drivers to come and evacuate products. We’ve loaded more than ten trucks already and expect to dispatch at least 15 before the day ends.”

Joel noted that the depot operates with 11 functional loading bays, but only three are currently in use due to their high efficiency. Each bay, he explained, can load three trucks in just 15 minutes.

“If you give us 100 trucks today, we can evacuate them in less than five hours,” he assured.

Highlighting the strides made at the refinery, the Managing Director, Ibrahim Onoja, said the plant had undergone extensive upgrades to improve efficiency and reliability.

“The plant is running, and we are trucking out our products. We’ve carried out a massive revamp, replacing most of the equipment, including pumps, instrumentation, and cables. What we’ve done here is a significant upgrade of the facility,” Onoja stated.

The PHRC team reiterated its commitment to maintaining consistent product distribution while ensuring that ongoing improvements enhance the refinery’s overall operations.

IPMAN reacts

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria said it would not buy from the Port Harcourt refinery if NNPCL sells the fuel at an expensive rate.

IPMAN said it was not expecting the Port Harcourt refinery’s petrol to be more expensive than that of the Dangote refinery or to be at par with the imported one.

The spokesperson of the association, Chinedu Ukadike, while speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, said fuel from the Port Harcourt refinery should be more affordable.

Ukadike was reacting to claims by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria that the NNPC would sell its PMS at N1,030 per litre.

He said the price was not acceptable to independent marketers so they would have to stay with another petrol source.

“If the Port Harcourt refinery’s PMs price is truly N1,030, it is unacceptable to us independent marketers. We will not buy from them. We will buy where it is cheap,” he said.

Ukadike, however, expressed hope that NNPC would review the price.

They promised to review the price. We will wait till then, but now we will buy from where it is cheaper,” he stated.

Recall that the NNPC has said it has not started selling PMS from the Port Harcourt refinery to outsiders, its products are exclusively for its retail stores at this stage.

NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, said the price would be reviewed based on operational realities.

“Our pricing is reviewed and adjusted periodically as necessary to reflect operational realities,” he stated.

CORAN comments

The Crude Oil Refineries Owners Association of Nigeria said the blended PMS from the refinery should be cheaper than the one produced directly.[/i]⁴

[i]Giving insights into the blending of petroleum products, Idoko explained that naphtha is a flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a feedstock for producing petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products. In contrast, Cracked C5 is used to break down heavier hydrocarbons into lighter ones.

He said the NNPC’s decision to blend naphtha with cracked C5 to produce petrol is likely aimed at increasing petrol production, improving petrol quality or reducing production costs.

“Blending naphtha with cracked C5 might be more cost-effective than using other feedstocks or production methods,” he stated.

However, he said some concerns have been raised about blending, including environmental impact due to the blending process releasing harmful emissions or pollutants.

He also added that the blended petrol might not meet international standards, potentially affecting vehicle performance, emissions, and safety.

He warned that if the naphtha as well as other feedstocks needed for the blending is imported, the exercise might not be sustainable in the long term.

“It’s essential to note that the NNPC’s decision to blend naphtha with cracked C5 is likely driven by various factors, including economic, logistical, and technical considerations,” Idoko explained.

N860 per litre

An Energy Consultant, Henry Adigun, said the PMS from the Port Harcourt refinery should be around N860 to N870 because it was blended.

Adigun said the Port Harcourt refinery is not a blending plant, but the facility is yet to attain the level where it would produce petrol directly without any need to blend.

According to him, straight-run gasoline has higher sulphur content and it must be blended to get the required standard.

“The straight-run gasoline only means gasoline with higher sulphur content. It is not illegal to blend. They blend everywhere in the world, just ensure everything is normal,” Adigun said.

Asked if the facility is more or less a blending plant rather than a refinery, he replied in the negative.

“It is not a blending plant. It’s a refinery. A refinery can also be a blending plant,” he said.

Speaking on why the refinery could not produce standard petrol that would not require any blending component, the expert explained, “They have not got to that point. Where they are now is not the stage where they can produce petrol directly. There are different refinery stages. That is the stage they are now.

“The blended product will be (more) cheaper. It should be between N860 and N870,“ Adigun disclosed.

The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has clarified his position on the controversial tax reform bills, saying he was not an enemy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Zulum, however, insisted that if the four tax bills currently undergoing review before the Green Chamber are passed into law, only one of the 36 states – Lagos – will be the major beneficiary.

The governor made the clarification when he was featured as a guest on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said, “I am a strong member of the APC. If you are to count two governors who have been in support of Tinubu from 2019 to 2023, you can mention Prof Zulum. I was the first governor to come out publicly to say that power must go to the South.

“Unfortunately, the President was told by many that the North is against him. About 60.2 per cent of his votes came from the North. There are a lot of misconceptions about this tax issue. During the NEC, we advised the Federal Government to pause for a moment to have a deeper consultation with stakeholders. That was our own statement.

“But later on, people have turned it upside down. I want you to believe that our consultation is central to democracy, and in a democratic setting, we are begging for the right to be consulted. This is only what has happened.”

In the past few weeks, the controversial bills have pitched the 36 state governors against the Federal Government, with the former calling for the withdrawal of the bills to create room for more consultation.

But Zulum had called on his colleagues and Northern stakeholders to reject the bills, insisting that the bills would damage the region’s economy if implemented.

Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for transparency and fairness in the ongoing review of the tax reform bills.

However, Zulum argued that the call to temporarily suspend the bills was not done out of hatred for the president.

The governor emphasised that they had run the numbers and concluded that the rush to pass the tax bills was needless as it favours only Lagos, Nigeria’s former federal capital.

He said, “I am not an economist. But based on the calculations we did, only Lagos will benefit from this scheme. However, we have had a series of consultations with the FIRS team and had a meeting with the tax team of Lagos State. Lagos told me that they would lose a lot if this were implemented. They said, ‘We did our research and concluded we will lose.’

“Then why are we in a rush? Not only Northern Nigeria but also the Southeast, South-South, and even the Southwest will be severely affected. Only Lagos will benefit from this scheme. But what we are telling them is to give us time. Why are we in a rush? Let us pause and have a deeper consultation because we are in a democracy.

“We should look at the nitty-gritty of these bills before passing into law. This is our only bone of contention. Then, people started saying that Prof Zulum and the governors were against the president. This is a democratic setting. People want us to run a garrison democracy. Most of this money will go to Lagos. We need more time.”

President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the economic policies that he initiated upon his assumption of office are now yielding the desired results.

Tinubu, who acknowledged that the policies were harsh on the people, stated that the move became imperative in order to salvage the country from the crises facing it.

Speaking during the 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, the President, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, stated that the country is now graduating from a consumption to a production economy.

While calling for the people’s understanding and support, he maintained that his administration is open to criticisms and admiration.

The President said, “The need to salvage the future of our children and bring the country back from the brink of collapse necessitated the strategic decisions to remove the fuel subsidy and also unify the exchange rates.

“I am not unaware of the consequences of the tough decisions on our people. I sincerely wish there could be softer options.

“The macro-economy of our dear country is improving by the day and beyond expectations. The micro-economy, which directly affects our citizens, is also taking shape gradually with positive results.

“By the grace of the Almighty God, every household will experience a better life and have brighter hope for the future.

“We are working hard to ensure the safety of every Nigerian in every part of the country. Our security architecture is up to the task, and the ugly narratives of the past are changing for good. Also, we are not relenting in our pursuit of making our country a haven of prosperity for all.”

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a record-breaking revenue collection of approximately ₦2.1 trillion for the year 2024, marking a significant milestone in trade facilitation and national economic contributions.

This achievement was celebrated in Abuja, where Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Wale Adeniyi commended the reforms spearheaded by Dr. Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Port Command.

Tackling Revenue Leakages

Under Olomu’s leadership, the Apapa Command established a Revenue Recovery Committee to tackle leakages, particularly at bonded terminals. This initiative, coupled with the creation of a dedicated team to resolve complaints and disputes, was instrumental in achieving the unprecedented revenue milestone.

Speaking at the recognition ceremony, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the importance of the Apapa Command’s efforts in promoting efficiency and accountability.

“It is about exceeding expectations, showing dedication to the country, and demonstrating exceptional commitment to our nation’s interests. Tonight, we gather to celebrate officers and stakeholders who have exemplified these qualities and more,” Adeniyi stated.

He added that the Customs Service’s focus on positive reinforcement is fostering a motivated and high-performing workforce, positioning the organization for sustained success.

Recognition and Encouragement

In acknowledgment of his leadership and impact, Dr. Olomu was honored for his contributions to trade facilitation, revenue generation, and overall operational excellence.

Reacting to the accolade, Olomu urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to leverage the ease-of-doing-business initiatives at Apapa Port, emphasizing the streamlined processes introduced under the CGC’s modernization regime.

“We invite more businesses to leverage the facilities and initiatives at Apapa Port. Our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring efficient trade facilitation and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth,” Olomu said.

A Strategic Focus on Growth

The Apapa Command’s performance underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s strategic focus on innovation and accountability. By addressing systemic issues and simplifying trade procedures, the Apapa Port has become a hub for efficient and transparent operations, setting a benchmark for other ports across the country.

The recognition of the Apapa Command not only highlights its achievements but also reinforces the Customs Service’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The Ministry of Sports Development, Bayelsa State, ably led by honourable Daniel Igali has hailed Navy Capt (Rtd) Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade at 70, praising his contributions to Sports development in Bayelsa as a Military administrator.

Honourable Igali in a goodwill message on behalf of the staff of the ministry of Sports and the entire sports Fraternity in Bayelsa described the former Military Administrator as a star whose achievements remain significant to the growth and development of sports in the state.

The World and Olympic champion noted that Olubolade, despite being retired from active service, continues to contribute to the advancement of sports in Bayelsa, stressing his advice and suggestions on the direction of sports development are invaluable.

Honourable Igali stated that Navy Capt (Rtd) Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade at 70 remains celebrated as an icon of Bayelsa Sports.

Honourable Daniel Igali on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the good people of the State prayed God Almighty to strengthen and supply him sound health as well as higher fulfillment of his heart desires.

This comes as he alleged that some elements within the private sector in the oil and gas industry want to undermine and understate the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Fani-Kayode made this known in a statement on his official X handle on Thursday, noting that the oil business is not the same thing as selling sugar, spaghetti, and cement, tackling Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Refinery.

His comments come amid claims against the viability of Port Harcourt Refinery after NNPCL announced that the plant has begun trucking out petroleum products on Tuesday.

Recall that Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday alleged that Port Harcourt Refinery trucked sold out old stock, not freshly refined petroleum products.

However, Fani-Kayode fingered some elements in the private sector of the industry as responsible for the campaign of calumny to discredit the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery after years of being in comatose.

He stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is a great victory for Nigeria.

According to him, what Nigerians need is for NNPCL refineries to flourish, and the same for Dangote Refinery and others.

He said, “The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years, and the credit for this must go to the President and the GMD of NNPC.

“It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.

“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.”.

He added: “NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.

“Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”.

DAILY POST recalls that on Tuesday the NNPCL announced the commencement of petroleum product production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.