Fani-Kayode Rebukes Private Sector Critics Over Port Harcourt Refinery Reopening

The former Minister of Tourism, Femi Fani-Kayode, has hit out at critics of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the recent revitalization of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

In a statement shared on his official X account on Thursday, Fani-Kayode accused certain private sector figures in the oil and gas industry of attempting to downplay the significance of the refinery’s reopening.

This response comes in the wake of scepticism surrounding the refinery’s operations, especially after the NNPCL announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery had begun producing and dispatching petroleum products earlier this week.

In a Thursday interview, Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, challenged the NNPCL’s claims, arguing that the refinery’s 60,000 barrels per day capacity has not reached full operation as suggested by the company.

The Alesa community, located in Eleme, Rivers State, hosts the Port Harcourt refinery.

Mgbere also described the reopening event as a superficial showcase, adding that not all units of the old complex are functional. He insisted that what was presented to the public does not reflect the reality on the ground.

Fani-Kayode, however, countered these claims, attributing the negative narrative to certain private sector interests eager to undermine the achievements of the NNPCL and its leadership under Mele Kyari, as well as the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He stressed that the oil business should not be viewed through the same lens as other industries, such as cement or sugar, asserting that efforts to monopolize the market for refined products would not succeed.

Fani-Kayode said, “The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years, and the credit for this must go to the President and the GMD of NNPC.

“It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.

“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.

“NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.

“Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”