The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has explained why it extended an invitation to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to take a tour of the recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, gave the reason on Thursday while responding to Obasanjo’s comments on the refineries.
TheFact Daily reports that the former president, while speaking during an interview on Channels Television, expressed doubt over the functionality of the refineries.
“When I was president, I wanted to do something about the three refineries we have: Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. Aliko got a team together after I asked Shell to come and run it for us. And Shell said they wouldn’t.
“Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–Private Partnership) in running the refineries. My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they could run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.
In a swift response, the national oil company highlighted the remarkable transformation of the NNPC. Noting that NNPC has evolved into NNPC Limited, a private entity that has transitioned from being a loss-making organisation to becoming a profit-orientated global energy leader.
It said under this new model, NNPC Limited has expanded beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company, adding that its focus is not only on harnessing traditional resources but also on developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy solutions to meet Nigeria’s growing demands.
It further stated a notable achievement of NNPC Limited is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery, explaining that the rehabilitation was not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards.
The company disclosed that similar efforts are underway at the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, ensuring these facilities are enhanced and maintained to global standards for sustainable operation.
“This progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector.
“Together, they have achieved unprecedented milestones, setting NNPC Limited on a path to redefine energy security for Nigeria while positioning the company as a leader on the global energy stage,” it said.
NNPC Limited said it holds President Olusegun Obasanjo in the highest regard as a respected statesman who has made significant contributions to the growth and progress of Nigeria, saying that his dedication to national development and his right to speak on matters of national importance are both deeply respected.
It therefore invited former President Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress made under the leadership of NNPC Limited.
“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished.
“We remain grateful for his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development and are committed to building a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation.
“Together, we can continue to ensure energy security and deliver sustainable value to all Nigerians,” the company said.
