ABUJA — The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has formally directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to address the public and provide a transparent accounting of why the state-owned Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries remain non-operational despite extensive turnaround maintenance works.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Abuja, Lokpobiri reiterated that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not directly manage or execute refinery rehabilitation projects. He emphasized that under the commercial framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), NNPCL operates as an independent commercial entity fully responsible for its operational timelines and procurement contracts.
The minister noted that the federal government, alongside millions of Nigerians, expects clear answers regarding project milestones and technical readiness, particularly following repeated assurances regarding the restart of the facilities. He urged NNPCL executive leadership to regularly engage the media and civil society to detail challenges encountered during the rehabilitation process, steps taken to resolve them, and realistic completion targets.
Addressing broader market realities, Lokpobiri maintained that the complete deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector remains the most viable path to long-term energy security. He stressed that operationalizing domestic refineries, alongside private sector investments like the Dangote Refinery, will eliminate foreign exchange risks associated with imported petroleum products, reduce pump price volatility, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of refined fuels across West Africa.
