The Coalition of Niger Delta Youths on Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector has called on the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, to ensure the Port Harcourt Refinery becomes fully operational by the end of September, as previously pledged.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, the group’s leaders, Dickens A. Opu and Werigbelegha Zinake, voiced frustration over the refinery’s ongoing non-operational status, despite billions of naira being allocated for its restoration. They warned that the energy crisis in Nigeria is deepening, with continued reliance on imported petroleum products exacerbating the economic burden on the country.

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The group criticized the management of the NNPC for its failure to revamp local refineries, a situation that has left oil-rich regions like the Niger Delta struggling. They pointed out that residents of these areas are forced to pay higher fuel prices than elsewhere in Nigeria.

Additionally, the group expressed concern about reports that the Port Harcourt Refinery may be converted into a blending facility for substandard petroleum products from Russia. They warned that this move could have dire environmental and health consequences, exposing local communities to harmful chemicals through pollution and degradation.

According to the coalition, corruption within the oil and gas sector, particularly under Kyari’s leadership, is a significant factor in the country’s energy crisis. They urged the federal government to take immediate steps to improve the functionality of refineries, beginning with the Port Harcourt facility.

In their statement, the group outlined several urgent actions:

  1. Immediate restoration of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
  2. Reforms to improve transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector, particularly for communities in oil-producing regions.
  3. A thorough investigation into the management practices of the NNPC under Kyari.