The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit the Port Harcourt Refinery. This follows Obasanjo’s recent comments questioning the refinery’s rehabilitation and its operational status.
Obasanjo had previously claimed that NNPC misled the public by asserting that its refineries were functional. He also recalled that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which was once approached to take a stake in the refinery, raised concerns about corruption hindering the facility’s effectiveness.
In response, NNPCL issued a statement on Thursday, January 2, inviting Obasanjo to visit the refinery and assess the progress made in its rehabilitation. Olufemi Soneye, the company’s spokesperson, shared the invitation, saying, “We extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”
The NNPCL also highlighted its ongoing transformation into an integrated energy company and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring energy security and delivering substantial benefits to the people of Nigeria. Soneye emphasized, “One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.”
Acknowledging Obasanjo’s vast experience, the NNPCL emphasized the value of his insights in shaping the future of the nation’s energy sector. “We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians,” the spokesperson concluded.
This development comes at a time when NNPCL’s operations are under increased scrutiny, particularly regarding transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
