The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has highlighted a price disparity in petrol costs between the Port Harcourt Refinery and the Dangote Refinery.
According to Joseph Obele, a spokesperson for PETROAN, petrol sourced from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) at the Port Harcourt Refinery is ₦75 more expensive per litre compared to Dangote Refinery.
“While Dangote Refinery supplies petrol to marketers at ₦970 per litre, the NNPCL provides the same product at ₦1,045 per litre,” said Obele, a former chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria. He made the remarks during the reopening ceremony of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed production on Tuesday.
The discrepancy has drawn attention from stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, with calls for greater competitiveness in refining operations.
Meanwhile, former Governor Peter Obi has lauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for reviving the Port Harcourt Refinery. However, he stressed the importance of transparency in the refinery’s operations and urged the NNPCL to ensure Nigerians are kept informed about critical developments.
“While this is undoubtedly a positive step forward, transparency in the NNPC’s operations remains key. Nigerians deserve to stay updated on all pertinent information,” said Obi, a prominent opposition figure in the country.
The Port Harcourt Refinery’s reopening marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to boost local refining capacity, but the price difference with the Dangote Refinery raises questions about competitiveness and affordability in the downstream sector.
