The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has officially denied reports that it is selling scrap materials from its refineries. The company urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes linked to such claims.
No Approval Granted for Sale of Refinery Materials
In a statement released on Friday, April 24, in Abuja, Andy Odeh, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, clarified that the national oil company has not authorized any sale of refinery scrap or equipment. According to the statement, certain individuals have been impersonating NNPC representatives, falsely claiming they can facilitate the purchase of scrap materials and refinery components.
The statement read: “The Company wishes to categorically state that this information is untrue. NNPC Limited has not issued any request for bids, tenders, expressions of interest, or approvals for the sale of scrap materials, refinery components, or any items from the warehouses or inventories of any of its refineries.”
NNPC Limited further warned that these unauthorized persons are promoting fake transactions involving refinery assets in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The company advised individuals, corporate organizations, and industry stakeholders to ignore such claims and exercise caution when approached with offers related to refinery scrap sales, as reported by Cable.
NNPC Refineries Not Functioning
The clarification comes amid ongoing concerns about the state of Nigeria’s refineries, including those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. These facilities have struggled with underperformance despite years of rehabilitation efforts. In February, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, disclosed that the refineries were shut down following internal assessments that showed they were operating at significant losses.
The facilities have faced persistent operational challenges over the years, even after substantial investments, including an estimated $1.5 billion rehabilitation program undertaken during the tenure of former GCEO Mele Kyari. Despite the setbacks, NNPC Limited has maintained its commitment to retaining ownership of its refining assets.
Ojulari explained: “We’ve invested significantly in the refineries over recent years and introduced various technologies. However, we have encountered challenges. Some of the technologies have not delivered as expected. Furthermore, refurbishing ageing refineries that have remained idle for a long time has proven to be more complex than anticipated. As a result, we are currently reviewing all aspects of our refinery strategy. We aim to finalise this assessment before the year ends, and the findings may prompt a shift in our approach.”
Nigerian Company to Build World-Class Refinery
In a related development, Clarivo Oil and Gas Ltd has announced plans to construct a world-class oil refinery in Calabar. Obidike Chukwuebuka stated that the proposed facility will be developed in multiple phases and feature state-of-the-art technologies designed to produce high-quality petroleum products. The company projects that the refinery will come online within about five years, subject to regulatory approvals and the successful completion of project phases.
