The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has accused Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, of abandoning on-site oversight at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for four months. The group warned that his absence casts doubt on the pace of the refinery’s multi-billion-naira rehabilitation.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, PETROAN President Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry told journalists that Ojulari’s prolonged absence has created a “leadership gap” at a time when the industry needs firm direction and clear commissioning timelines.
PETROAN Demands Direct Supervision
Gillis-Harry said the rehabilitation project — delayed despite heavy investment — requires consistent, top-level supervision from NNPCL. He urged the GCEO to visit the site, monitor contractors closely, and ensure they meet quality and delivery targets.
“The Port Harcourt refinery is vital to Nigeria’s energy security. The GCEO’s absence for four months is unacceptable. We need visible leadership to drive this project forward,” Gillis-Harry declared.
He warned that weak oversight could undermine stakeholder confidence, especially as fuel prices rise and imports remain high.
Delays Deepen as Fuel Challenges Persist
The refinery’s rehabilitation, once scheduled for partial operations in late 2023, has suffered repeated delays due to technical, logistical, and procurement setbacks.
Once operational, the plant should refine 210,000 barrels of crude daily, cut the fuel import bill, and help stabilise pump prices.
As of press time, NNPCL had not responded to PETROAN’s claims. However, company sources said Ojulari has focused on corporate restructuring and addressing nationwide operational challenges.
PETROAN maintains that reviving Nigeria’s refineries requires active, on-site engagement from leadership to remove bottlenecks and keep the project on track.