Port Harcourt refinery still not operational two weeks after take-off deadline

The Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) is yet to commence operations despite assurances by the authorities that it will come on stream about two weeks ago. Stakeholders believe that by pumping oil for domestic consumption from the government-owned refineries, and additional support from the Dangote refinery, Nigeria and its people stand to gain more in terms of forex inflow, which had been grossly depleted by importation. Recall that the group chief executive officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari had on March 28, told the Senate that the Port Harcourt refinery would begin to deliver refined petroleum products in two weeks, just as he assured Nigerians that the rehabilitation of the refineries would be completed on schedule. It is now over two weeks since the deadline elapsed.