By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of both the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
The NNPCL said the invitation comes in response to Obasanjo’s recent allegations of corruption regarding the operations and management of the two refineries.
According to the national oil company, the invitation aims to demonstrate transparency and accountability by allowing Obasanjo to witness firsthand the progress and operational status of the refineries.
The New Diplomat reports that Obasanjo had previously criticized the NNPCL, raising doubts over the functionality of the refineries.
Obasanjo had questioned the ability of the NNPCL to run the country’s refineries efficiently.
“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refineries, and they still will not work.” he was quoted as saying during an interview with Channels TV.
However, the NNPCL, through its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye disagreed with the position of the former President while instead offering him a tour of the Port-Harcourt refinery, which was recently declared “functional”.
Soneye asserted that the refineries have undergone significant overhauls, moving beyond mere maintenance to comprehensive rehabilitation to meet international standards.
The statement reads in part: “Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.
“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.
“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated.
“As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.
“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.
“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”
