The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said a minor incident that occurred at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) did not affect the operations of the oil facility.
It was reported earlier in the day that the refinery, owned by the Nigerian government but operated by the NNPC witnessed an explosion.
Recall that on Monday night, the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline operated by Shell in Rivers State exploded after some militants threatened to disrupt crude oil production in the country because of a political crisis in the state.
On Tuesday night, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on Rivers State, suspending all elected political players in Rivers State, including the Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara; his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
On Wednesday, it was reported in a section of the media that the Port Harcourt was attacked but the NNPC said the facility is fully operational, assuring that there nothing to worry about.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.
“NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation,” the terse state by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Mr .Olufemi Soneye, stated.