Port Harcourt Refinery: Former NNPC GMDs Give Kyari, Management Team Testimonial Of No Mean Feat

…Say It’s One Of The Wonders

Former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), have perceived the resuscitation of the 1965 Port Harcourt refinery as one of the wonders of the recent time.

They unanimously gave the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari and the management, a testimonial of no mean feat for achieving such success which had defied all previous efforts for so many years.

Thus, they put to rest ongoing scepticism and criticism surrounding the revamp of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

They passed these verdicts while inspecting the refinery during their Former NNPC GCEOs Forum in Port Harcourt, and further described the achievement as “magic”, having modernized 1965 facility into a state-of-the-art plant.

Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who served as GMD from 1999 to 2003, while speaking on behalf of others, explained that many critics fail to understand the magnitude of work involved.

He clarified that this was not a routine Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) but a full rehabilitation that modernized a plant originally built in 1965 into a state-of-the-art facility by 2024.

“Some of those who criticize do not understand the extent of the work carried out. They mistake it for the usual Turnaround Maintenance. This is a complete rehabilitation—transforming a plant built in 1965 into a modern one in 2024. We appreciate the effort,” Dr. Obaseki stated.

On petroleum pricing, he emphasized that petrol pump prices are influenced by crude oil prices and called for public understanding. He hailed the achievement as a testament to courage and dedication, urging the GCEO, Mr. Mele Kyari, to remain focused on delivering value to Nigerians.

Other former GMDs present at the meeting included Chamberlain Oyibo, Funsho Kupolokun, and Andrew Yakubu, who collectively lauded the success of the project.