The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) must account for and explain to Nigerians why the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries are not producing petroleum products.
Lokpobiri makes the remarks in an interview with Channels Television and says he has received a brief from NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, indicating the refineries are currently not producing. One report adds that the refineries have spent between N23.84 trillion and N33.11 trillion on turnaround maintenance over the past two decades, while Lokpobiri also notes that new partnerships with some Chinese companies are being negotiated to rehabilitate the facilities.
The outlets also link the comments to current fuel prices in Nigeria. They report that Lokpobiri directs NNPCL leadership to come and explain, and he raises the issue of accountability by referring to “those who deceived Nigerians” about refinery operations. One outlet recalls that NNPCL previously announced a restart of the Port Harcourt refinery on November 26, 2024, before it was shut down again on May 24, 2025.