Nigeria’s long-running failure to revive its state-owned refineries has come under fresh scrutiny, with the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) warning that the delays are intensifying economic hardship for millions of citizens.
PETROAN said the prolonged inactivity at the Port Harcourt Refinery, Warri Refinery and Kaduna Refinery has left Africa’s largest oil producer heavily dependent on imported petroleum products.
According to the accommodation, this dependence continues to expose the economy to foreign exchange volatility, unstable pump prices and recurring supply disruptions.
In a statement, the group said Nigerians are feeling the impact daily through rising fuel costs, higher transport fares and a broader increase in the prices of goods and services.
It argued that without functional local refineries, attempts to stabilise the downstream sector would remain limited.
PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, described the situation as unsustainable, stressing that domestic refining is essential for energy security, lower import bills and easing pressure on consumers.
The association called for the immediate commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, alongside sustained measures to ensure optimal performance across all government-owned refining assets.
READ ALSO: Resident Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Pay
PETROAN also urged increased crude oil allocation to existing domestic refineries to boost local production capacity.
Against this backdrop, it acknowledged reforms introduced by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, within his first year in office.
The group said steps taken to improve transparency, strengthen corporate governance and introduce structured financial and operational reporting had helped restore stakeholder confidence.
It described the past year as a defining period for institutional reforms within NNPC Ltd, citing ongoing efforts to raise crude oil output and improve efficiency across the value chain.
However, PETROAN maintained that these gains must be matched with tangible progress in restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity if the reforms are to deliver real economic relief.
The association further called for deeper stakeholder engagement, inclusive policy implementation and sustained collaboration with downstream operators to ensure seamless nationwide distribution of petroleum products.
While restating its support for ongoing reforms, PETROAN said fixing the country’s refineries remains the most urgent priority for the government.