The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has stated that the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery will not lead to a drop in fuel prices. In an exclusive interview, Comrade Nwoko George, Chairman of PENGASSAN Port Harcourt zone, explained that maintaining competitive prices is essential to prevent smuggling of petroleum products out of the country.
George emphasized that the refinery’s comeback will contribute to job creation and reduce the scarcity of petroleum products. While acknowledging that the high cost of petrol won’t disappear overnight, he highlighted the positive impact on job opportunities and the potential reduction in the country’s dependence on imported products.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, had previously announced the target of resuming production at the Port Harcourt refinery by December 2023, with a projected daily output of 54,000 to 60,000 barrels of refined petroleum products.
