By Jane Otu, South South
DAILY COURIER - The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit the Port Harcourt Refinery and assess the progress of its rehabilitation. This follows Obasanjo’s recent remarks casting doubt on the refinery’s functionality and the sincerity of NNPCL’s operations.
In his earlier comments, Obasanjo accused the NNPCL of misleading Nigerians by claiming that the nation’s refineries were operational. He also referenced concerns raised by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) during his administration, when SPDC declined to acquire equity in the refinery, citing corruption and inefficiency as obstacles to effective operations.
In a statement released on Thursday, January 2, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye rebutted the allegations and extended an open invitation to the former president to tour the rehabilitated Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
“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,” Soneye said.
The statement emphasized NNPCL’s transformation into an integrated energy company and reiterated its commitment to ensuring energy security and delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery,” Soneye added.
NNPCL also acknowledged the former president’s expertise and experience, describing his insights as valuable to the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’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,” Soneye stated.
The exchange between Obasanjo and NNPCL comes amid growing public scrutiny of the company’s operations and transparency within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The rehabilitation of refineries has been a contentious issue, with critics questioning the effectiveness of past investments and the sector’s ability to meet domestic energy demands.
This latest development underscores the importance of public accountability and the need for industry stakeholders to work collaboratively to address long-standing issues in Nigeria’s energy landscape.
The proposed tour could provide an opportunity for NNPCL to demonstrate its progress in refinery rehabilitation and rebuild public trust in its operations. Whether Obasanjo accepts the invitation remains to be seen, but the gesture reflects NNPCL’s willingness to engage in dialogue and showcase its achievements.
As the nation continues to grapple with energy challenges, the spotlight remains on NNPCL’s ability to deliver on its promises and chart a sustainable path for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
