The prolonged shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refinery has sparked growing concern among petroleum marketers and host community businesses, who say the delay is causing widespread economic hardship.
The Host Community Bulk Petroleum Retailers Association has now called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently release funds for the completion of repair works at the old refinery, which has remained idle despite exceeding its scheduled reopening date.
The old Port Harcourt Refinery was shut down on May 24, 2025, for a 30-day repair programme, but two months later, it remains out of operation.
At a press conference on Friday, the association’s chairman, Mike Amadi, expressed frustration over the delay, describing it as “devastating to local businesses and worsening the already challenging economic climate.”
“Unfortunately, it has been 60 days, and the refinery remains non-operational. This prolonged delay has had a devastating impact on the economy and business activities in and around the host communities,” Amadi stated.
He warned that the continued shutdown could erode investor confidence and undermine President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda.
Amadi urged Tinubu to personally intervene in the matter, citing the refinery’s importance in reducing fuel importation costs and easing Nigeria’s foreign exchange pressure.
The association listed three key demands:
Immediate release of funds to contractors to facilitate project completion.
Commencement of refinery production by early August 2025 to revitalise local economic activities.
Stable crude oil supply to guarantee sustainable refinery operations and prevent future shutdowns.
“We respectfully call on President Tinubu to intervene, as the delay may irreparably undermine his administration’s transformative agenda for Nigeria,” Amadi added.
The refinery’s delayed rehabilitation comes amid growing scepticism about the viability of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Bayo Ojulari, recently admitted that the government’s heavy investments in refinery rehabilitation have not yielded desired results.
Adding to this, Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has cast doubt on whether Nigeria’s refineries will ever operate optimally despite the government spending over $18 billion on maintenance over the years.
Petroleum marketers argue that the prolonged shutdown is exacerbating fuel supply disruptions and increasing distribution costs, which may lead to higher pump prices in coming weeks. Businesses in the host communities are also reporting reduced activities, job losses, and declining incomes.
Several economic experts have renewed calls for the privatisation or outright sale of Nigeria’s refineries, insisting that government management has failed repeatedly. Critics argue that private-sector-led operations, such as the Dangote Refinery, offer better prospects for efficiency and profitability.
With mounting pressure from marketers, host communities, and economic analysts, the Federal Government faces renewed scrutiny over its refinery rehabilitation programme. If the Port Harcourt Refinery fails to resume operations by August, as demanded by marketers, Nigeria could face further supply chain disruptions, increasing reliance on imported petroleum products and worsening foreign exchange pressures.