Shocking, Port Harcourt refinery stops working days after operation resumed - Investigation – Newstrends
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Shocking, Port Harcourt refinery stops working days after operation resumed – Investigation

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Shocking, Port Harcourt refinery stops working days after operation resumed – Investigation

 

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has stopped production of petroleum products days after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited boldly announced the resumption of the refinery’s operation, which instantly elicited jubilation across the country.

Photos and videos of loading of fuel trucks from the just rehabilitated refinery on the day of announcement were flaunted on the internet, generously used by both conventional and online media.

However, an investigation by a reporter who visited the refinery on Friday showed that the facility was idle, with no visible signs of operation.

This tallies with the position of a Rivers State community leader (from Alesa), Timothy Mgbere, who declared that the refinery was yet to start producing fuel.

Indeed, Mgbere who came on a national television on Thursday accused the NNPCL of lying to Nigerians and faulted the claim that the revived facility was already processing 1.4 million barrels of fuel per day.

Although he confirmed that the refinery had commenced skeletal service, he said the NNPCL only sent out old stock of fuel in the so-called first loading to mark its resumption.

“They released that stock and then loaded six trucks and then televised it to Nigerians that it is the production from the old refinery. That is not true,” he said.

A report by PUNCH in Saturday also quoted one of refinery’s workers as revealing that the loaded trucks contained ‘dead stock’.

He said, “Before the refinery was shut down between 2015/2016, we had dead stock left in the tank, including some Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) DPK (kerosene), and Automated Gas Oil (diesel). These products were in large quantities in stores in those tanks.

“So, the product that was loaded was dead stock, that is the old product that was in the system.

“So, after these dead stocks, they will have to clean the tank, remove all the debris before pumping the new project into that tank, and redye it.”

It was also leant that the facility was still undergoing a calibration process, which might continue until next week.

The NNPC had earlier proudly claimed that trucks had commenced loading petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and kerosene from the refinery but would restrict its fuel supply to the NNPCL retail outlets for now.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Femi Soneye, came out to debunk Mgbere’s claim that the refinery was not producing fuel and declared that it was operating at 90 per cent capacity.

He tried to rubbish any contrary report describing it as “sheer mischief and blatant display of ignorance.”

But Mgbere insisted, “Let it be clear here; no single product has moved from the Port Harcourt refinery area into the product reception area of the depot.”

He stressed the need for a complete system audit to establish the true status of the refinery’s operations.

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I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

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Africa’s richest man and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote

I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

President and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed gratitude following his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, a global initiative aimed at accelerating private investment and job creation in emerging economies.

In a statement confirming the development, Dangote described the appointment as both an honour and a reflection of his long-standing commitment to economic development through private enterprise.

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said.

“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies.”

He referenced the successes of the so-called Asian Tigers, economies that experienced rapid growth through strategic investment, as a source of inspiration for advancing similar outcomes in other parts of the world.

The World Bank announced Dangote’s inclusion on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of the Lab, which enters a new phase focused on scaling up solutions that attract private capital and generate employment in developing countries.

Other newly appointed members include Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

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World Bank Group President Ajay Banga noted that the expanded membership underscores the institution’s focus on integrating private-sector leadership into its strategy for global job creation.

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” Banga said.

“This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

The lab, which was co-chaired in 2023 by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, previously sought to mobilise £1 trillion in sustainable investment, particularly targeting energy transition projects in emerging markets.

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Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

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Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

 

Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline said in a statement on Wednesday that it was also suspending operations due to the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings.

“Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over,” Air Peace said.

“Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”

The airline had earlier announced that the NiMet strike could lead to flight delays and cancellations across its network.

Air Peace added that it was monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on customers’ travel plans.

Employees of NiMet commenced a nationwide indefinite strike over welfare issues on Wednesday.

Some of the issues raised involve “NiMet’s refusal to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements,” including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.

They also accused the management of the agency of withholding important documents, ignoring requests for inclusion of omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes in favour of executive retreats.

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Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

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Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

 

Nigeria’s gas output has increased 15,6 percent month-on-month, MoM, to 227,931.65 million standard cubic feet, mscf, in March 2025.

But on year-on-year, YoY basis, the nation’s gas output recorded a marginal increase to 227,931.65 mscf in March 2025, from 198,353.62 mscf, recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Gas Production Status reports indicated that of the total of 227,931.65 mscf produced in March 2025, 119,552.75 mscf was associated while 108,378.90 mscf was non-associated gas.

Associated gas is extracted in the process of producing crude oil while non-associated gas is produced without crude oil after much investment, exploration and development.

 

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), which is directly involved in the development of policies, targeted at increasing investment in the sector said efforts have been made to increase investment and production of gas in Nigeria.

Similarly, in its recent report obtained by Vanguard, the Nigerian LNG Limited stated: “We are fully committed to expanding our operations with the NLNG Train 7 Project, which will boost our production capacity by 35%, increasing from 22 Million Tonnes Per Annum (mtpa) to 30 mtpa. This project underscores our role as a key player in the global LNG market and positions Nigeria as a top-tier supplier of LNG, leveraging its vast proven gas reserves of 202 trillion cubic feet (the 9th largest globally).

Vanguard

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