The Port-Harcourt Refinery’s much-awaited resumption of operations has sparked debate, as Timothy Mgbere, secretary of the Alesa community, alleges that the products loaded from the facility were not freshly refined but were leftover stock from the last three years. Mgbere claims that only six trucks were dispatched from the refinery on Tuesday, contrary to the NNPC’s promise of 200 trucks being sent out daily.

In an appearance on Arise TV, Mgbere questioned the authenticity of the event, referring to it as a “party” rather than a genuine operational milestone. According to Mgbere, the refinery, which had been inactive for years, is still not fully functional. He revealed that while some units of the refinery have recently been revived, the entire complex is far from operating at full capacity.

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The refinery, which has a 60,000-barrel capacity, was re-commissioned after significant upgrades, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announcing that it could refine up to 70 percent of its installed capacity. NNPC stated that the refinery would produce a range of petroleum products, including 1.4 million liters of petrol per day. However, Mgbere refuted this claim, calling it “not true” and accusing the NNPCL of misleading the public.

He explained that the products loaded on Tuesday were from old stock stored in the refinery’s tanks, not freshly refined products. “It was only six trucks that they used to calibrate the new loading gantry,” Mgbere stated, adding that the refinery’s resumption was more about showcasing the new loading gantry than actual production.

Mgbere’s comments are likely to raise concerns among the public, especially given the promises made about the refinery’s revival and its potential impact on Nigeria’s fuel supply. He urged Nigerians not to be swayed by the media portrayal of the refinery’s operations, urging transparency from the NNPCL.