The Hoscom Bulk Retailers Association of the Port Harcourt Refinery has expressed dismay over the recent visit of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Bayo Ojulari, to Rivers State without a stop at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

In a statement, signed by the association Executives, High Chief Sunny Nkpe, Dr Joseph Obele, Comr. Emmanuel Inimgba, Pastor Tekena Ikpaki, Dickson Obelley, described Ojulari’s decision to visit the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facility in Bonny while ignoring the refinery as “a slap in the face” to the workers and management of the refinery.

They stressed that while the LNG facility remains an important national asset, the Port Harcourt Refinery plays a vital role in Nigeria’s refining capacity and deserves equal recognition and support.

“A visit to the Port Harcourt Refinery by Engr. Bayo Ojulari would have served as a morale booster and motivation to the rehabilitation team and contractors working tirelessly to restore the facility to optimal capacity,” the statement read.

The group further warned that the omission signaled a worrying lack of interest in the refinery’s functionality, raising questions about the priorities and commitment of NNPCL leadership to its rehabilitation.

They called on the NNPCL boss to revisit his itinerary and pay a courtesy visit to the refinery to acquaint himself with its operations and challenges.