Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) says there is no safety or security incident affecting the operated Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Limited, dismissing reports of a blast at the plant as operational incident.

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Spokesman of the national oil company, Olufemi Soneye, declared in a statement that there was however a minor incident at a section of the refining plant earlier on Wednesday. He stated the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products.

The clarification came amid apprehension after the Trans-Niger crude oil pipeline went boom in the midst of political wrangling in Rivers State where the PHRC is located.

The state which host the largest number onshore petroleum industry facilities in the country is known for witnessing attacks on petroleum industry facilities at times of political wrangling with the federal government.

The sabotage of the TNP is cited by President Bola Tinubu as a major reason for imposing state of emergency on the state, displacing the executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State government with a military administrator.

The political turmoil and the outcry that followed the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State had coincided with loud sound at the refinery which was inaccurately reported as an explosion.

Soneye denied any incident of explosion at the refinery, saying that it was a flare that has now come under control.

“NNPC Ltd. urges the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, as they are entirely false,” Soneye said in the media statement, adding that “there is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities, or the environment.”

He clarified that “all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation.”