Marketers Blame NNPC For Delay As Port Harcourt Refinery Shutdown Drags

Petroleum product marketers are blaming the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for the prolonged shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which has now been closed for 79 days following scheduled maintenance that began on May 24, 2025. The initial repair period was extended, causing significant economic hardship for marketers and bulk retailers who depend on the refinery's operation.

The NNPC initiated the shutdown for planned maintenance and sustainability assessment to improve efficiency and performance. However, marketers allege that a contractor extended the downtime beyond two and a half months.

The PETROAN Eastern zonal chairman expressed concern over the NNPC's lack of physical presence at the refinery and called for urgent action to revive operations. The delay in restarting the refinery is seen as potentially sabotaging efforts to stabilize petroleum product prices and reduce the dominance of private refineries in Nigeria.