THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has officially announced a temporary shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company for scheduled maintenance.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NNPCL confirmed that the facility would be closed for one month to carry out maintenance and sustainability assessments.
The company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the shutdown will begin on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown. This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025,” he stated.
Soneye added that NNPC is collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the process is conducted efficiently and transparently.
“We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, to ensure the maintenance and assessment activities are carried out efficiently and transparently,” he said.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring sustainable energy security in Nigeria and assured that updates will be shared through official platforms, including the NNPC website, media channels, and public statements.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), operated by the NNPC-L, has faced significant operational challenges despite substantial investments in its rehabilitation.
The refurbishment of the 60,000 barrel-per-day capacity refinery was completed and commissioned with funfair in November 2024. It was rumoured that the refinery was shut down in December but the NNPCL denied the claim.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.