NNPCL boss explains why refineries were shut down

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, has revealed that the company suspended operations in its refineries due to massive financial losses.

Ojulari disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while receiving members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). He explained that the decision was part of efforts to prevent further waste and reposition Nigeria’s refining sector.

According to him, NNPCL has already completed technical assessments of the country’s three refineries and recently concluded a commercial review of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which highlighted the urgent need for a more sustainable business model.

“The solution you are proposing is the same one we are working on.
“We have now completed the technical review of the three refineries, and from the commercial review of Port Harcourt, it’s clear that we need to bring in a true professional refinery company to partner with us,” Ojulari stated.

He explained that years of neglect and inadequate maintenance had rendered the refineries commercially unviable, resulting in losses of between N300 million to N500 million monthly.

“We were pumping around 50,000 barrels of crude daily into the refinery, but getting less than 40 per cent output.

“So, rather than continue to incur losses, we halted operations to seek a viable and profitable model,” he added.

Ojulari emphasised that President Bola Tinubu had not exerted any political pressure on NNPC to resume refinery operations prematurely, stressing that all steps taken so far had been focused on ensuring long-term sustainability.

“There was no political pressure to keep running at a loss. We decided to freeze operations and focus on getting it right,” he said.

He also addressed recent protests and calls for his removal, revealing several targets of coordinated harassment.
“There is a formidable plan to remove me, and staff morale has taken a hit. But we are focused on delivering our mandate,” Ojulari stated.

Earlier, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, hailed the current NNPC leadership for improved pipeline functionality and increased oil production since Ojulari’s appointment.
He also expressed the union’s readiness to support NNPC in its drive toward energy stability.

“We are currently producing about 1.8 million barrels per day.
“Our goal is to reach 2.6 million barrels by 2026 by addressing issues like non-producing fields,” Osifo said.