The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Port Harcourt Depot Unit, has stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery requires more than periodic rehabilitation, calling instead for a “consistent and experienced management focused on functionality and long-term sustainability”.
The position was made known in a statement signed on June 12, 2025, by the Chairman of IPMAN Port Harcourt Depot Unit, Tekena Thankgod Ikpaki.
The association was reacting to a recent statement by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, who hinted that the Federal Government may consider selling some of its refineries as a solution to persistent rehabilitation and efficiency challenges.
Ikpaki noted that as major stakeholders in the downstream oil sector, petroleum marketers fully understand the strategic importance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, not just for Rivers State and the Niger Delta region, but for the Nigerian economy as a whole.
He observed that the brief resumption of operations at the refinery in November 2024, followed by another shutdown in May 2025 for maintenance, once again underscored the lingering operational and technical issues affecting Nigeria’s refineries.
Ikpaki, however, stated that it is less concerned about who manages the facility and more focused on ensuring the refinery functions optimally.
He said, “Whether the facility remains under the direct control of the NNPCL or is eventually handed over to a private entity, the most critical issue for us at this point is ensuring the Port Harcourt Refinery operates at optimal capacity.
“We believe that a fully functional refinery will have far-reaching benefits, offering alternative sources of refined products, stabilizing the domestic market, creating jobs, boosting local content, and contributing to national energy security,” the statement added.
The association appealed to the Federal Government and NNPCL to ensure that any future sale or concession process prioritizes competence and technical proficiency.
IPMAN urged the authorities to “prioritize competence, technical expertise, and a proven track record in refinery operations in selecting any prospective buyer or management partner, should the company proceed with the sale or concessioning process.”
The association emphasized that privatization should not be pursued for its own sake but must lead to measurable improvements in output, performance, and national benefit.
Ikpaki concluded by reaffirming the association’s willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure a successful transition.
“We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the transition, if and when it happens, will be transparent, accountable, and ultimately beneficial to Nigerians, particularly those of us who operate directly within the value chain,” he said.
