Mixed reactions have trailed Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s announcement of Port Harcourt refinery operation.
Tribune Online reports that Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, disclosed on Tuesday that the refinery is operating at 60% capacity.
This development comes after the Federal Government’s repeated promises—five times in total—to revive the Port Harcourt refinery, which had previously failed to materialize.
While some Nigerians questioned whether the refinery was even aware of its purported operational status, others welcomed the news with optimism.
Reacting on Facebook, Fasoye Joule Aanu sarcastically asked, “Is the refinery aware?”
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Similarly, Suleiman D. Ndiriza asked, “Did you clear with the refinery before going to press? I don’t want to see a retraction from you, or a ‘quoted out of context’ from the refinery later!”
Other comments echoed the same sentiment:
“Hope the refinery is aware of this news,” wrote @Nna Abel.
@Philemon Akinlolu Olowu added, “Is the refinery itself aware of this being put out on its behalf? Please, we need answers, maybe by the book but not in reality 😆😃😃.”
@Iliya Philemon Toro commented, “Hope the refinery is also aware it has started…”
Ezekiel Escobar said, “I am very sure this refinery is not aware of this news.”
On the other hand, some Nigerians hailed the announcement as a step in the right direction.
@DrYasharal Yahudah Natsarym remarked, “That’s good news indeed. Let the positive impact of it be felt soon among the citizenry.”
“This is great news,” commented @Adeola Ganiyat Adetoro.
@Chidinma Adaku Chukwu wrote, “So good. The impact should be seen in the reduction of fuel prices.”
@Alegbe S. Omowale expressed optimism, saying, “Nigerian economy is set to take a new look.”
Yussuph Oluwatosin, however, struck a cautious tone, stating, “Well, as far as I will believe this report, but I won’t celebrate it until the prices of all the local products coming out from that refinery drastically come down.”
