Barely two months after the September completion deadline flop, the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission has explained why it could not deliver the much-awaited Port Harcourt Refinery Company.
In an interview with our correspondent on Monday, the NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the company encountered risks and challenges while carrying out the rehabilitation, being a brownfield project.
He noted that the NNPC began the commissioning of critical equipment and processing units after the mechanical completion in Nigeria.
“You may recall that mechanical completion of the PHRC revamp was successfully achieved several months ago, marking a significant milestone in the project. Following this, we began the commissioning of critical equipment and process units.
“However, as is common with brownfield projects of this scale and complexity, we encountered unforeseen risks and challenges,” he stated.
Nonetheless, he told newsmen that the issues were resolved and commissioning activities have resumed.
Soneye stressed that work is being carried out to ensure the project’s completion.
Asked if there is any timeline for the completion of the project, he replied, “Shortly.”
It was observed that the NNPC desisted from giving new deadlines for the delivery of the refinery, having failed to meet its deadlines seven times.
The moribund Port Harcourt refinery is one of three owned by the Federal Government and managed by the NNPC.
Nigerians have been hopeful that the cost of fuel could crash if the country refines its crude and ends the import of refined products.
The NNPC said last week that it would continue to import fuel, saying it was not the sole off-taker of petrol at the Dangote refinery.