The National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Joseph Obele, has attributed the continued delay in the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery to funding challenges.
Dr. Obele revealed that due to lack of funds, several contractors have pulled out of the project site, hindering progress. He expressed disappointment that despite the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) issuing a 30-day timeline for the refinery to restart, no visible progress has been made.
Speaking on the broader issue of refinery reforms, Dr. Obele warned that time is running out for the federal government to take decisive steps towards the privatisation of the nation’s refineries, which he believes is key to long-term sustainability.
