The Port Harcourt Refining plant is not an abandoned scrap as rumoured but a running plant complimented with a clean environment.
The Minister of Energy (Petroleum), Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) made that observation when he went on a familiaristion tour of Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), recently. To the minister, his visit was an eye-opener and a “worthwhile experience in touring the facility”.

He reiterated that work must begin in full force to ensure optimum utilization of these facilities in the plant adding that what the refinery needs at the moment is just turn-around maintenance (TAM) and replacement of some of the aging equipments to keep it running all the time.
The Group Managing director, then the Group Executive Director, Refining and Petrochemicals of the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Abubakar Lawal Yar’Adua threw this challenge on members of Staff in the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company and been urged them to uphold all acts of discipline capable of sustaining the integrity of the organisation.

Engr. Yar’ Adua who addressed the workers on the reversal of sale of the refinery’s 51% equity share to Bluestar Consortium said with the pronouncement by the federal government, concerted efforts by the staff of the company should be made to restore the plant to optimum operation.
“No act of indiscipline would be tolerated in the match towards achieving our corporate objectives and in our resolve towards getting the necessary funding which would guarantee the immediate procurement of materials required to maintain the plant,” Engr. Yar’Adua said.

He reiterated his belief on the quality and ability of the PHRC staff to restream the plant and sustain production up to 100% capacity utilisation.
Responding on behalf of the PHRC management, the Manager, Material Management Department, Mr. D.O Fadairo called on the corporate management and the federal government to grant custom waiver on some of the plant materials lying down in some of the nation’s ports.
He solicited for an increase in the financial limit of the various Strategic Business Units (SBUs) which he said would facilitate the speedy procurement cycle for the maintenance of the plant.

On behalf of the staffs, the chairman of the PHRC PENGASSAN, Mallam A. U. Adamu and his NUPENG counterpart, Comrade Osu Lambert pledged the co-operation of their members to always work with management to achieve the desired result.
Among other top management staff present during the visit were Alh. Ibrahim Waziri, GED, CS; Mr. Stanley Lawson, GED, F&A; Engr. A.O Anyaoku, GGM, RED; Engr. Fisoye Delano, GGM, CPDD, Dr A.B. Yusuf and Mr. Ujoji, Manger Employee Relations.