In the video, Kyari assured citizens that all local refineries in Nigeria would be restored to operational capacity before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure in 2023.
A 2019 video has resurfaced showing Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), making a promise that has proven to be false.
In the video, Kyari assured citizens that all local refineries in Nigeria would be restored to operational capacity before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's tenure in 2023.
However, with Buhari's government now in the past and the refineries still in a state of disrepair, there is indication that Kyari's promise was a deception.
The video has sparked outrage, with many Nigerians expressing disappointment and frustration at the failed promise.
The incident has raised questions about the credibility of the NNPCL leadership and their ability to deliver on their commitments.
The NNPC boss, in the video which was captured on 8th July, 2019, said: “The legitimate expectation from Nigerians is that why can we be an oil-producing country with four refineries and yet reporting sometimes 100% of our petroleum product requirement? It is very sad.
“We have told you the steps we have taken when our refineries were in place. I assure you we will follow it up within the life of this administration (Buhari Government), before Baba’s tenure ends in 2023, we will deliver all the four refineries.”
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Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, again failed to commence operations after about six postponements.
Despite numerous missed deadlines and persistent delays, Heineken Lokpobiri, the minister of Petroleum Resources (oil) on Wednesday announced that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery is nearing its final phase.
The refinery was originally scheduled for completion in 2019.
The refurbishment and upgrade of the Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, have faced significant setbacks over the years.
Political wrangling, funding challenges and technical difficulties have plagued the project, which is seen as crucial for Nigeria’s energy independence and economic stability.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had in July reaffirmed its preparedness to commence crude oil refining at the Port Harcourt refinery in early August.
SaharaReporters also recently reported that Wale Edun, the coordinating Minister of the Economy, convened a crucial meeting with top stakeholders to enforce President Bola Tinubu's order for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to sell crude oil to local refineries in Naira.
The meeting took place on Monday at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Abuja.
The gathering included key figures like Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil); Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL; Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service; and Mrs. Lydia Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.