Port Harcourt Refinery Rehabilitation: Delays in Fuel Production Despite Promises, Niger Delta Youth Network Outrage
The rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, was set to begin refining 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day after the mechanical completion of the rehabilitation works last December. However, six postponements have been made to August 2024, raising suspicions of a deliberate attempt to exploit crude oil producers in the region.
The Niger Delta Youth Network (NDYN) has expressed outrage over the repeated delays, denouncing the government’s lack of transparency and lack of commitment to the development of the region. According to Dakuku Francis, the NDYN spokesperson, the latest delay is a clear indication of the government’s unwillingness to deliver on its commitments to the region.
The NDYN accused the government of planning to use the Port Harcourt refinery as a blending operation, importing fuel into the country, mixing it with chemicals, and selling it to people in the Niger Delta region, potentially harming their health and the environment.
The group lamented that the move perpetuates the country’s dependence on imported fuel, undermining the country’s energy security and economic sovereignty. They also stressed that the Niger Delta region, which produces the majority of the country’s crude oil, deserves fair treatment and equitable benefits from the oil and gas sector.
The NDYN demanded a clear and realistic timeline for the start of fuel production at the Port Harcourt refinery, as well as an explanation for repeated delays and transparency in dealing with crude oil producers in the region.
In a statement, the group said: “The lack of transparency and accountability has exacerbated regional tensions. We demand answers and action; the repeated delays are part of a larger plot to exploit our region’s resources. The silence on the reasons for the delays and broken promises has raised questions about the commitment to the development of the region.”
The NDYN’s outcry highlights the critical issues surrounding fuel production at the Port Harcourt refinery, and underscores the importance of transparent and equitable management of the Niger Delta region’s natural resources.