Port Harcourt, Nigeria | September 22, 2025
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has called on the Federal Government to engage reputable foreign firms in the management of the Port Harcourt Refinery, stressing that such a move is crucial to ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the facility’s operations.
Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, PETROAN President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said the government should adopt a collaborative management approach that combines local oversight with international technical expertise. According to him, the refinery, which recently completed phases of its rehabilitation project, requires world-class management to achieve optimal performance and meet Nigeria’s domestic fuel needs.
Gillis-Harry explained that successful models in countries like India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia demonstrate that public-private and foreign partnerships can transform state-owned refineries into globally competitive assets. He noted that Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of inefficiency, given the billions of dollars already invested in the turnaround maintenance of the facility.
“We believe that partnering with experienced foreign operators will not only guarantee best practices but will also ensure that Nigerians enjoy the full benefits of a fully functional refinery, including job creation, stable fuel supply, and reduced dependence on imports,” he stated.
The PETROAN boss also urged the government to prioritize proper regulatory frameworks, market reforms, and stakeholder engagement as part of the refinery’s post-rehabilitation management strategy.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has undergone extensive rehabilitation funded through government resources and external financing. Expectations are high that its full resumption of operations will reduce the nation’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
