The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as decisive efforts to reposition Nigeria’s refining sector.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Joseph Obele, the association highlighted the recent move by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to partner with Chinese firms—Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Limited—to accelerate the rehabilitation, restart, and expansion of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.
Commenting on the development, PETROAN’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, described the agreement as both timely and strategic, signalling a renewed direction for Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
According to him, the adoption of a technical equity partnership model represents a significant departure from previous approaches, introducing greater operational discipline, efficiency, and accountability into refinery management.
He noted that past rehabilitation efforts often delivered limited results, but the new model is designed to ensure a more performance-driven system with long-term sustainability.
Gillis-Harry added that the initiative is a crucial step toward restoring Nigeria’s refining capacity and reducing the country’s heavy reliance on imported petroleum products.
He also pointed to the broader economic benefits of the project, including the potential for job creation and increased industrial activity once the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are fully operational.
The development follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NNPCL and the Chinese partners, marking a key milestone in ongoing efforts to revive Nigeria’s refining infrastructure and strengthen energy security.
