The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed media claims that the recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refinery has ceased operations.

In a statement released on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, reassured the public that the refinery is fully operational. He revealed that preparations for product loading are underway, calling media reports of a shutdown baseless.

“The attention of NNPCL has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down,” Soneye said. “We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational, as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC.”

Soneye urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading reports, emphasizing that they are part of a strategy to create artificial scarcity and exploit citizens.

NNPCL reiterated its commitment to ensuring the continued operation of the refinery and the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products nationwide.