The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery. 

According to a statement on Thursday, the NNPCL said the move was for Obasanjo to verify the operational status of the oil processing facility in Rivers State.

In an interview with a Television station, Obasanjo questioned the operational capacity of the Port Harcourt Refinery which recently came on stream.

However, the NNPCL listed its achievements and asked Obasanjo to tour the facility.

“We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished,” the NNPCL said.

“Additionally, we warmly invite President Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress made under the leadership of NNPC Limited.

“We remain grateful for his enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development and are committed to building a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation.”

According to NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer Olufemi Soneye, the organisation did not only carry out turnaround maintenance on the plant.

Soneye said the NNPCL embarked on a complete overhaul of the refinery.

“This is not the typical Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) of the past but a comprehensive overhaul designed to meet world-class standards. Similar efforts are underway at the old Port Harcourt Refinery and Kaduna Refinery, ensuring these facilities are enhanced and maintained to global standards for sustainable operation,” he said.

“This progress has been driven by the visionary leadership of the NNPC Limited board and the management team led by GCEO Mele Kyari, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative policies in the energy sector. Together, they have achieved unprecedented milestones, setting NNPC Limited on a path to redefine energy security for Nigeria while positioning the company as a leader on the global energy stage.”