Obasanjo fumes, flays NNPCL invitation to Port Harcourt Refinery 

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, has taken exception to his recent invitation to a facility tour of the Port Harcourt Refinery to verify its current operational status.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, had extended the invitation to the gormer president after his comments on

Channels Television with regard to a piece of advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, about the efficiency of the refinery after it was invited for equity participation.

SPDC had reportedly raised concerns about corruption, which was an impediment to smooth operations of the refinery.

Obasanjo also expressed doubts about the health of the refinery and accused the NNPCL misleading Nigerians.

However, NNPCL, in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the company was committed to transparency and accountability and I voted the former president to a tour of the facility to witness the changes made after it’s recent rehabilitation.

He added that the recent rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery exceeded beyond routine maintenance, adding that the faculty was completely overhauled to meet international standards.

Responding to the invitation, Obasanjo said it was totally disrespectful to his person and office.

The former president’s media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, in an interview with Punch, said the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to Obasanjo as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.

“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president,” he said.

“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response.”