Editorial: The never-ending fallacy Port Harcourt Refinery’s rehabilitation

The Port Harcourt Refining Company’s rehabilitation project has once again missed its promised deadline, marking the sixth postponement.

Despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the refinery remains non-operational, leaving Nigerians disillusioned and frustrated.

This administration’s penchant for giving false hope is appalling. Since December 2023, NNPC has repeatedly promised to commence operations, only to renege on its commitments.

The latest promise, made by Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, assured Nigerians that the refinery would start production in early August.

Yet, as August draws to a close, the refinery remains idle.

This is the sixth time that NNPC has failed to meet its own deadline, a clear indication of a lack of transparency, accountability, and competence.

The continued failure to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt refinery has resulted in the country’s reliance on imported fuel, costing billions of naira monthly.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed that $4 billion has been spent on attempts to revive the nation’s refineries, with nothing to show for it.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s scathing criticism of the NNPC’s mismanagement and corruption highlights the depth of the problem.

It is unacceptable that those responsible for this debacle remain unpunished and unaccountable.

The Senate’s investigation into the $1.5 billion approved for the refinery’s renovation is a step in the right direction.

However, more needs to be done to address the systemic issues plaguing the NNPC and the petroleum industry.

Nigerians demand action, not empty promises. It is time for this administration to deliver on its commitments or admit its failure.

The continuous false hope is an insult to the intelligence and patience of Nigerians.

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