The Niger Delta Youth Network (NDYN) has voiced concerns about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) regarding what they perceive as a deliberate effort to sideline the interests of the Niger Delta region. NDYN’s spokesperson, Dakuku Francis, accused a “cabal” within the NNPCL of exploiting the region’s resources and deliberately keeping the Port Harcourt refinery inactive despite numerous promises to restart operations.
Francis highlighted frustrations over multiple postponements of the refinery’s relaunch, with the latest delay being a missed promise to resume operations in September 2024. The refinery, which is capable of processing 210,000 barrels per day, was expected to begin processing 60,000 barrels per day after a mechanical rehabilitation concluded in December. However, with no new operational date set, the region’s stakeholders have become increasingly distrustful of the NNPCL.
Francis also accused NNPCL’s Managing Director, Mele Kyari, of planning to convert the Port Harcourt refinery into a “blending company” that would import fuel, mix it with chemicals, and sell it within the region. This, according to NDYN, would pose serious environmental and health risks to local communities, as the Niger Delta is already suffering from decades of oil exploitation.
NDYN is demanding a transparent timeline for the refinery’s relaunch and greater engagement with stakeholders to ensure the Niger Delta receives fair economic contributions and that further environmental damage is avoided. The group warns that the NNPCL’s actions could exacerbate regional tensions and feelings of marginalization.