Obasanjo Blasts NNPCL Over “Disrespectful” Invitation to Tour Port Harcourt Refinery

• Obasanjo calls NNPCL’s invitation disrespectful.
• NNPCL defends refinery’s rehabilitation efforts.
• Obasanjo says no formal invitation was received.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) over its recent invitation for him to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and assess its operational status.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the invitation followed Obasanjo’s comments in a recent interview with Channels Television, where he referred to advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which raised concerns about the refinery’s operational efficiency.

SPDC, which was approached for equity participation in the refinery, reportedly flagged issues related to corruption impacting its performance.

Obasanjo also accused NNPCL of misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s functionality.

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In response, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, defended the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Soneye invited Obasanjo to visit the refinery to see the progress since its rehabilitation, emphasizing that the work had gone beyond routine maintenance to include a complete overhaul to meet international standards. He also highlighted similar rehabilitation efforts underway at other refineries, including Warri and Kaduna.

Soneye further noted that NNPCL’s shift from a government corporation to a private entity focused on profitability, aiming to position itself as a competitive global energy player.

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However, Obasanjo, through his media aide Kehinde Akinyemi, expressed displeasure at the invitation, describing it as disrespectful. Obasanjo stated that as of January 2, 2024, he had not received any formal invitation from NNPCL.

He questioned the company’s approach, stating that it was a “total disrespect” to his office and that no official letter had been issued to him regarding the visit. Obasanjo concluded that he would not dignify such an invitation with a response.

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