The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has formally invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery to clarify the facility’s operational status.
The invitation comes on the heels of Obasanjo’s recent comments during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, where he raised concerns over the refinery’s effectiveness based on advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company.
During the interview, Obasanjo disclosed that SPDC, when approached to acquire the refinery, had raised concerns regarding corruption that could hinder the facility’s operations.
Also, as monitored by The PUNCH he disclosed that in 2007, a significant offer of $750 million was made by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to manage both the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries but was rejected by the NNPC, the predecessor to NNPCL.
Obasanjo claimed that the rejection was informed by NNPC’s inability to operate the facilities effectively.
Also, the former president further accused NNPCL of misleading the public about the refinery’s operational status, thereby raising questions about the state of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure.
Responding, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement extended an invitation to Obasanjo, highlighting the company’s dedication to transparency and accountability in its operations.
He said, “We hold President Olusegun Obasanjo in the highest regard as a respected statesman, who has made significant contributions to the growth and progress of Nigeria. His dedication to national development and his competence to speak on matters of national importance are both deeply respected.
“In response to his recent comments, we would like to respectfully highlight the remarkable transformation of the NNPC. Today, NNPC has evolved into NNPC Limited, a private entity that has transitioned from being a loss-making organisation to becoming a profit-oriented global energy leader.
“Under this new model, NNPC Limited has expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company. Our focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands.
“A remarkable achievement of NNPC Limited is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refinery. This is not the typical Turnaround Maintenance of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similar efforts are underway at the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, ensuring these facilities are enhanced and maintained to global standards for sustainable operation.
“This progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector. Together, they have achieved unprecedented milestones, setting NNPC Limited on a path to redefine energy security for Nigeria while positioning the company as a leader on the global energy stage.
“We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished.
“Additionally, we warmly invite President Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress made under the leadership of NNPC Limited.
“We remain grateful for his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development and are committed to building a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation. Together, we can continue to ensure energy security and deliver sustainable value to all Nigerians.”
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