In spite of the criticism and cynicism trailing the feat, former chief executives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) have praised the current management, led by Mele Kyari, for the successful rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Following a tour of the facility during a forum in Port Harcourt, the former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) expressed admiration for the turnaround, labelling it a remarkable achievement.
Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who served as GMD from 1999 to 2003, explained that many critics fail to understand the magnitude of work involved.
He clarified that this was not a routine Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) but a full rehabilitation that modernized a plant originally built in 1965 into a state-of-the-art facility by 2024.
He said: “This is a rehabilitation project. Those who are merely writing may not fully appreciate what you have accomplished.
“You are rehabilitating a plant that was originally built in 1965, and for that, we appreciate and congratulate you.
We encourage you to continue supporting the government in its service to the people of Nigeria.”
The former GMDs also praised the current management team for their courage and dedication to delivering value to Nigerians.
Obaseki emphasized that petrol pump prices are influenced by crude oil prices and called for public understanding.
Other former GMDs present at the meeting included Chamberlain Oyibo, Funsho Kupolokun, and Andrew Yakubu, who collectively lauded the success of the project.
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