₦airaland Forum

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has extended an invitation to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its operational status.

This development follows Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) suggesting the refinery would not function effectively.

According to the former president, SPDC, which was approached to acquire equity in the refinery, expressed concerns about corruption impeding its operations.

Obasanjo further alleged that NNPCL has been misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.

Responding to the claims, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, respectfully invited the former president to visit the facility, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Soneye said: “Furthermore, we extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited.”

Soneye also invited Obasanjo to join the NNPCL in its determination to guarantee the country’s energy security.

“We invite our esteemed former president to join us in this effort as we continue to deliver energy security for our nation and provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.

“His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we assure him that his advice will always be welcomed and appreciated,” he said.

Soneye explained that the NNPCL did not only carry out a turnaround maintenance on the plant but it embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery.

He said: “As part of this transformation, NNPC Limited has gone beyond oil and gas to become an integrated energy company.

“One of our notable achievements is the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PhRC) and Warri Refinery.

“This process was not merely the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a full-scale overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similarly, we are currently conducting the same comprehensive rehabilitation of the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery.”

He added that NNPCL has evolved from being a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability.

He said owing to the transition, NNPCL has also moved on from being a loss-making organization to profit -driven international energy firm.

The new NNPC Limited, he said, is committed not only to enhancing these refineries but also to maintaining them to global standards.

Soneye noted that NNPCL will ensure their sustainable operation and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s energy security.

He said: “Regarding his recent comments, we would like to respectfully clarify the current state of the NNPC.

The NNPC has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a government corporation into a private entity—NNPC Limited.

“This transition has marked a significant shift from being a loss-making organization to a profit-oriented global energy company.”

“We deeply respect and hold President Obasanjo in the highest regard as a distinguished statesman who has contributed significantly to the progress of our nation.

“He has every right to share his perspectives on national issues, and we value his insights and counsel.”

He said: “We remain grateful for his leadership and enduring commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for our great nation.”

Soneye, who was also requested to react to a media report that NNPCL was to stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery said, “No need to respond to falsehood.”

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/just-in-nnpcl-invites-obasanjo-for-tour-of-port-harcourt-refinery/amp/

I do not think it is right to call him a major critic of the refinery. His opinion is/was based on the expert advise of Shell, who are a major IOC is Nigeria.
Based on that advice, he opted to sell the refinery to Dangote, a situation that was unfortunately reversed by Yara dua.

In all, Obj has to always be respected, I believe he tries to be fair and has the best interest of the nation at heart based on the info he has at that point in time.

BankoIe:
This is good. Because he was a major critic of of the Nigerian Refineries. So he can witness the glory of God

I think obj was sincerely trying to defend his decision...


To sell the refinery. Which was based on the expert advice he had at the time.

Yaradua should be commended though for reversal of that decision. (I think he reversed because he felt they were sold too cheap and not necessarily because it was a bad decision)

Even though by now it's likely; if obj's plan had worked then Nigeria would have started benefitting from the working of the refineries a long time ago. And so much money which might have been used for other things might not have been embelzed!

Nice one from NNPCL, invite the old man to the refinery so that shame will catch him. He never takes responsibility for his failure, he speaks as if he's God but God come dey shame am now.


-Kiss the truth!

It happened in his lifetime
Glad he's a witness to this

Soneye, who was also requested to react to a media report that NNPCL was to stop the supply of crude oil to Dangote Refinery said, “No need to respond to falsehood.”

Fantastic. Tinubu's model.


-Kiss the truth!

Abi.
E no pass like that.

Make the Arise man follow Baba.

We deserve to know the truth

happney65:
And which refinery is working? Dangote refinery is working 247 with no issues and everybody can see that. While NNPC own will be said to work today and under maintenance tommorow.

Isn't it? Is that a working refinery?

Why do you people prefer to deceive yourselves like this?

Haha!

Shame on OBJ. I go dey drag you everywhere like I pass my neighbor generator.


-Kiss the truth!

Lol. OBJ that convulses at the thought of any Yoruba leader being greater than him, while he lives, now invited to witness with his eyes what Tinubu has achieved in over a year he could not achieve in 8 years.

God is great indeed. He has beautiful ways of humbling even the biggest megalomaniac to walk the Earth. Those who land in hell can confirm from Hitler . Lol. I bet any money OBJ will refuse the invitation though. 😎😎

Obasanjo would rather die than admit anything good can come from anyone else, but only him.

TimeManager:
Shame on OBJ. I go dey drag you everywhere like I pass my neighbor generator.


-Kiss the truth!

https://businessday.ng/energy/oilandgas/article/port-harcourt-refinery-shuts-down-again-after-1-5bn-rehabilitation/

A man that planted a hundred hips of yam and lord that he planted two hundred hips, will harvest a hundred hips of lies during harvest….

Shame go gree baba go?
He's now rolling with enemies of Nigeria. AKA Biafran Obidients.

Sobalim:
Olodo with no brains. Your drug lord once said he does not believe in one Nigeria who are the real enemies of Nigeria?

My president doesn't believe in one Nigeria as constituted and neither do you, nobody does, especially not the one that sit at home every Monday but because you are a coward, when Tinubu is saying let us have LG autonomy, let us have tax reform, in a simple term let us restructure Nigeria, which is the same reason you guys are killing your tribesmen on a daily basis but what did you do? You started gaslighting the North, the SE caucus said they are with the North, they don't have a stand on the proposed tax reform. The SS, SW, NC showed bold acceptance of the reform but the one crying Biafra chickened out and that's how we know your cry for Biafra is a blackmailing too to get the presidency. You don't want any Biafra anything. You are the biggest beneficiary of one Nigeria. You sit at the bottom of both IGR and VAT generation/collection.

TimeManager:
Nice one from NNPCL, invite the old man to the refinery so that shame will catch him. He never takes responsibility for his failure, he speaks as if he's God but God come dey shame am now.


-Kiss the truth!

Thank God refineries started working while he's still alive. That is kind of pwraon OBJ. He played the same game during Pa Awolowo and Late MKO Abiola. He said Abiola was not a messiah Nigeria is waiting for. He never reconginised Abiola struggle for democracy. What a man!
But to himself, he's the best among all other leaders, he knows it all.

LegendHero:
Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/just-in-nnpcl-invites-obasanjo-for-tour-of-port-harcourt-refinery/amp/

It is NNPCL, not NPCL, add one N. Lies may travel far, but truth will catch up with it one day.

It is better not to count your chickens before they hatch.
I would wait 2 years to see if the refineries are profitable.

Omoboricash:
Thank God refineries started working while he's still alive. That is kind of pwraon OBJ. He played the same game during Pa Awolowo and Late MKO Abiola. He said Abiola was not a messiah Nigeria is waiting for. He never reconginised Abiola struggle for democracy. What a man!
But to himself, he's the best among all other leaders, he knows it all.

The "working" refineries are Buhari's legacy and not Tinubu.
So, I don't see how Awolowo and MKO comes into the picture.

Obj already said.

A farmer who planted 100 heaps of yam and claims it’s 200 heaps, when the time to harvest comes, he’ll harvest 100 yams and 100 lies.

Xisnin:
The "working" refineries are Buhari's legacy and not Tinubu.
So, I don't see how Awolowo and MKO comes into the picture.

Did it work during Buhari's regime?
No is the answer.
Is it working now during Tinubu's govt?
Yes is the answer.
That is Tinubu's legacy.

Who started telecom journey in Nigeria,who took credit for it being operational?

Obasanjo no go answer oh..... Same obj dat said the refinery will never work ?

Too much noise.

Yoruba is a very respectful tribe
Very very respectful

Good.

Hopefully pms would be cheaper this year

Let have it.....

Cool..

Make them use that Arise TV guy as camera man..

alanto:
Shame go gree baba go?
He's now rolling with enemies of Nigeria. AKA Biafran Obidients.

Olodo with no brains. Your drug lord once said he does not believe in one Nigeria who are the real enemies of Nigeria?

Everyone is just playing to the gallery.

Square pegs in round holes.

Lobatan

Ok

Dem invite Baba to come see with him korokoro eyes wetin him and him party no fit do in 16 wasted years.