Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has refuted the claim that the Port Harcourt Refinery has stopped working, saying peddlers of such rumours are those ready to create artificial scarcity for Nigerians in this Yuletide season.
According to these reports, petrol lifting at the refinery ceased last Friday, December 13, less than a month after the company resumed operations.
But reacting to this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Soneye, over the weekend, NNPC said the reports are false and that the refinery is fully operational.
The company said that the refinery’s operations were verified just days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC, with preparations for the day’s loading operation already underway.
NNPC urged the public to disregard these misleading reports, describing them as part of an orchestrated attempt by some individuals to create artificial fuel scarcity and exploit Nigerians.
“The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.
“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.
“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.
“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians”, the statement read in part.