The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has firmly denied allegations questioning the authenticity of its operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery. This comes in response to a viral video featuring one Timothy Mgbere, who identified himself as a “community person” and alleged that the much-publicized reopening and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) truck-out earlier in the week were staged.
In a strongly worded statement signed by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the company described Mgbere’s assertions as a “crass display of ignorance” and dismissed his claims as baseless and misleading.
Soneye clarified that the Port Harcourt Refinery, which comprises the Old and New facilities, operates as an integrated system with shared utilities such as power, storage tanks, and a single terminal for product load-out. He pointed out that Mgbere’s claim that PMS was only being trucked out from the New Port Harcourt Refinery’s gantry showed a lack of understanding of the refinery’s operations.
The statement further highlighted inconsistencies in Mgbere’s allegations. He alleged that the PMS trucked out was “old stock” from the Old Port Harcourt Refinery but contradicted himself by implying that new production could not be loaded at the same gantry. “This is ignorance on full display,” Soneye remarked.
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Refuting another claim that the refinery was producing 1.4 million barrels per day, NNPC explained that the refinery’s capacity is 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Currently operating at 90% efficiency, it produces Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha) blended into 1.4 million liters of PMS daily, alongside other products like diesel and kerosene.
NNPC called on the public to disregard Mgbere’s allegations, describing them as deliberate misinformation meant to discredit the company’s efforts. “These claims are a blatant display of ignorance and mischief,” Soneye emphasized, reiterating that the Port Harcourt Refinery is fully operational and contributing to Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
The statement concludes with a renewed commitment from NNPC to transparency and efficiency in its operations, urging Nigerians to focus on verified information rather than sensational and unsubstantiated claims.
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Port Harcourt Refinery,
NNPC operations,
Premium Motor Spirit truck-out
Timothy Mgbere.
