Recent reports allege that Mele Kyari, the Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), organized a private jet trip for journalists to Port Harcourt to secure favorable media coverage about the newly “rehabilitated” Port Harcourt refinery. This follows accusations that the refinery’s output is largely a façade, with claims that no fresh petrol is being refined but rather old stock is being repackaged and distributed.
Critics, including host communities and oil sector watchdogs, have called out the refinery as non-functional, arguing that the publicized activities were staged to mislead Nigerians. These allegations come amid broader scrutiny of Kyari’s leadership, with calls for his removal due to alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency in handling national assets like refineries.
This situation is unfolding against the backdrop of mounting public dissatisfaction with the NNPCL and its operations, especially as the country struggles with high energy costs and economic challenges.
