“See $1.5Bn”: NNPC Releases Pictures of PH Refinery as Obasanjo Doubts It Will Work, Tinubu Replies
- The NNPC Limited has released pictures of ongoing work at the Port Harcourt Refinery as it sets a December deadline for completion
- Former President Olusegun Obasanjo does not believe the promised date is feasible and is calling on the government to privatize it
- The administration of President Bola Tinubu responded to the former president, pointing out that his comment is an opinion, as he is not an engineer
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has released pictures of the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt refinery.
NNPCL is promising that the rehabilitation, which started in 2021 at a cost of $1.5 billion, will be finally completed by December 2022.
Source: Getty Images
The federal government has high hopes for the Port Harcourt refinery and believes that when it is finally operational, along with the Dangote refinery, it will mark the end of fuel importation.
Obasanjo disagrees with NNPCL deadline
However, Obasanjo, during an interview with TheCable, dashed the expectations of Nigerians arguing that Nigeria’s refineries would never function efficiently as long as they remained under government ownership.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
He said:
"Someone told me Tinubu said refineries would work by December. I told the person the refineries would not work. This is based on the information I received from Shell when I was president.”
Tinubu replies Obasanjo
Responding to Obasanjo’s comment, Tinubu’s senior special assistant on Media and Publicity, Tope Ajayi, said the former Nigerian leader shouldn’t make such comments as he is not an engineer, DailyTrust reports.
He said:
"Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with due respect to him, is not an engineer. He’s not the engineer working at the refineries. So, the engineers and the NNPC gave the president a report, and they have said that it will work by December this year,”
“We still have like four months to go. I will say that with all due respect to the former president, who is an elder statesman and our father, that what he said is his personal opinion and view. I would rather rely on the judgment of the engineers who are working at the refinery. So, I think we should wait until December.”
NNPC releases pictures of ongoing work
In an earlier post on its verified social media account, the NNPCL released pictures of Mele Kyari, its Group Managing Director, visiting the Port Harcourt refinery.
Kyari was flanked by senior members of NNPCL and also engineers at the site providing updates on work done so far.
Nigerians react
Reacting to the NNPC pictures @kunleajae wroote:
"See our $1.5 billion rehabilitation work. We are again patiently waiting for December"
@ibrahimogunbad1 also said:
"PMB said same in 2015, pumped billions of naira for its repair, but it all failed. We can not afford to waste scarce resources. The refinery should be sold."
@lekboro commented:
"Until then, let's keep our fingers crossed."
Dangote speaks on benefits of his refinery to Nigeria's economy
Meanwhile, in another report, Aliko Dangote spoke on the positive impact of his new oil refinery on Nigeria's economy
The refinery, located in Lagos, is one of the largest in the world and is expected to be launched by President Muhammdu Buhari.
Some of the benefits expected from the refinery include export savings in manufacturing plastics and textiles, among others.
Source: Legit.ng
