PETROAN Says NNPC Has Engaged American Firm to Assess PH Refinery
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has contracted Honeywell UOP, a leading American multinational firm, to evaluate the state of the Port Harcourt refinery ahead of potential investment.
The disclosure was made in a statement on Sunday, signed by Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s National Publicity Secretary. According to the association, engaging a reputable technical partner marks a positive step toward restoring the refinery’s functionality and attracting credible investors.
Honeywell UOP, formerly known as UOP LLC, is renowned globally for its technology in petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production, and major manufacturing industries. PETROAN commended NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, for awarding the contract, describing it as an important move to ensure transparency and credibility in the rehabilitation process.
“PETROAN expressed appreciation for the decision to engage a technical partner to assess the plant’s condition, enabling informed decision-making by potential investors,” the statement reads. “This development signals a positive step towards restoring the refinery’s functionality.”
The association also endorsed NNPC’s decision to revive the Port Harcourt refinery under a Technical and Equity (T&E) Partnership Model, calling for transparency and fairness in the process. PETROAN urged the federal government to give consideration to reputable foreign companies in the management and operation of the facility.
“We advocate that the refinery revival process be transparent, expedited, and devoid of political interference,” the group noted. “Furthermore, we urge that reputable foreign companies be given fair consideration in the partnership process.”
Speaking on the benefits of the T&E model, PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, explained that it mirrors the successful framework already applied at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Bonny plant. He stressed that its adoption would restore efficiency and act as a price-check mechanism in the downstream sector.
“The operationalisation of the refinery will serve as a price check mechanism, providing a vital safeguard against monopoly in the downstream sector,” he said. “We believe this will yield necessary benefits to stakeholders, host communities, retailers, and consumers by promoting competitive pricing and preventing unfair market practices.”
PETROAN also extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure development, especially the ongoing rehabilitation of the Eleme expressway, a strategic route for petroleum product distribution from the refinery. The group expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen the local economy and improve petroleum product availability across the country.
