The Port Harcourt Refinery is back in operation, a development that Fredrick Nwabufo, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, says showcases the success of the President’s reforms. After years of abandonment, the refinery, established in 1965, has resumed production, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Nwabufo noted that previous administrations failed to restart the country’s refineries, leading to revenue losses. However, efforts began in 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, and President Tinubu has accelerated progress by issuing executive orders that unlocked over $2.5 billion in oil and gas investments. He added that the refinery’s revival will reduce reliance on fuel imports and redirect funds previously spent on subsidies to other areas.
He dismissed reports claiming the refinery was blending products from other companies, assuring Nigerians that the facility is operational and sustainable. Journalists and industry leaders who toured the plant confirmed that all sections, from control rooms to loading areas, are fully functional, signaling a positive shift in Nigeria’s refining capacity.