P/Harcourt Refinery Shutdown: IPMAN Worries Over Continuous Job Loss

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has raised concern over continuous job loss following the shutdown of the Port Harcourt refinery.
Eastern zonal secretary of the IPMAN, Comr. Emmanuel Inimgba, has, therefore, called on the group chief executive officer(CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, to either fix the refinery immediately or resign from his position.
Inimgba expressed concerns over the delayed rehabilitation of the refinery, a project worth $1.5 billion, which he believes is being handled unprofessionally. The refinery was shut down on May 24, 2025, for scheduled repairs of 30 days, but it’s now over 80 days without any significant activity or commitment under the administration of the new GCEO of NNPCL.
He noted that the refinery’s shutdown has resulted in thousands of job losses, affecting tanker drivers, NUPENG members, PETROAN staff, IPMAN workers, and host community members.
Fixing the refinery would create jobs, boost the local economy, improve fuel supply and distribution, increase government revenue, enhance energy security, and improve living standards for host community members.
Inimgba stated that credible sources indicate contractors have withdrawn from the site due to lack of funds, and the GCEO has not visited the refinery in four months.
“The IPMAN has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda and will not allow the GCEO’s actions to sabotage the president’s efforts. If the GCEO is unable to fix the Port Harcourt Refinery or demonstrate commitment to its rehabilitation, stakeholders and host communities will have no option but to call on President Tinubu to consider replacing him,””