FG, NNPCL Urged to Restart Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries as Petrol Prices Rise

Dr Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners, has called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to restart Nigeria’s government-owned refineries to boost local fuel supply and reduce dependence on imports. The statement was issued on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as petrol prices continue to rise.

Why Refineries Should Be Restarted

Obele said reviving the refineries could help ease rising petroleum prices and reduce inflationary pressure on Nigerians. He said the government should make the immediate restart of its refineries a priority while ensuring that available refining capacity is fully utilised.

“The immediate approach to the recent rise in petroleum prices is to restart the government-owned refineries,” he said.

He also urged the government to support responsible private-sector investment and promote healthy competition within the downstream oil sector.

Port Harcourt and Warri in Focus

Obele specifically called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to commence production at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. He described domestic refining as increasingly important as petroleum products become more expensive.

He said getting the refineries operational before the 2027 general elections would be significant for Nigeria’s energy security and could provide a tangible measure of the government’s performance in the petroleum sector.

“The Port Harcourt refinery should become a measurable demonstration of government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians. If the refinery is successfully restarted before the 2027 elections, it will give citizens an opportunity to assess the administration’s performance in the petroleum sector based on tangible results.”

Obele added that Nigerians were looking for concrete results. He argued that a functional Port Harcourt refinery could support economic activities and demonstrate Nigeria’s ability to maximise its own petroleum resources.

Inflation, Energy Security and Pressure on Households

Obele expressed concern about the impact of rising crude oil prices, particularly amid geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that higher petroleum prices would likely push up the cost of goods and services across the economy, worsening inflation and increasing the financial pressure on households.

“The time to restart the Port Harcourt refinery is now. Nigerians cannot continue to bear the unbearable cost of petroleum products when domestic refining capacity is available. Every viable refinery should be optimally utilised in the national interest,” he said.

For the naira, consumers and Nigerian businesses, the call comes as imported fuel costs remain a major source of pressure. If domestic refining improves, it could reduce foreign exchange demand for petroleum imports and ease the pass-through to transport, food and services. That outcome depends on actual production, not just promises.