CSOs urge Tinubu to reopen Port Harcourt refinery

CSOs urge Tinubu to reopen Port Harcourt refinery says keeping the refinery shut is economic sabotage 

 A coalition of prominent civil society organisations has issued a stirring call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to immediately reopen the Port Harcourt refinery, describing its continued closure as “a deliberate and unforgivable act of economic sabotage.”

Speaking at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, representatives of OilWatch Nigeria (OWN) Emmanuel Ekpeyong,  Workers’ Rights Alliance (WRA) Danladi Usman, and Nigeria Concerned Citizens Watch, Babatunde Anifowoshe, said the shut-down of the refinery was orchestrated solely to enable its “illegitimate sale at scrap value” to cronies, thereby shortchanging Nigerians and threatening national energy sovereignty.

In a bold and defiant tone, the CSOs warned that unless immediate action is taken to restore the refinery’s operations and protect the nation’s oil assets, they will begin lobbying foreign missions to impose travel bans on those implicated in the scheme.

“We call on our dear President Tinubu, whose love for Nigeria has been demonstrated through this action, to take further steps by ordering the immediate reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery,” the coalition declared.

“Reviving this critical asset will restore Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency, create jobs, and benefit millions of Nigerians. It is the height of economic sabotage to keep this refinery shut because of one man’s desire to sell it to his allies as scrap, and divert its crude oil allocation to cronies for personal gain.” 

They alleged that those behind the refinery shutdown diverted its crude allocations to private traders, thereby deepening the country’s fuel import dependence and endangering energy security.

The coalition went on to say that  those behind the refinery shutdown of robbing Nigerians not only of jobs but also of billions in revenue and opportunities for self-reliance in petroleum refining. The organisations painted a picture of a premeditated dismantling of national infrastructure under the guise of strategic reforms.

“The attempt to strip Nigeria of her refining capacity through the back door is not just wicked. it is treasonous,” 

Groups also announced they will be demanding travel ban against NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer. 

“By Friday, August 8, 2025, we will submit formal letters to the US Embassy, EU Delegation, and UK High Commission in Nigeria, urging them to impose a travel ban on the known cronies behind this refinery sabotage scheme,” the statement read.

According to the CSOs, their travel ban campaign is designed to ensure that economic saboteurs “do not find refuge in foreign havens while Nigerians suffer the consequences of their plunder.”

The closure of the Port Harcourt Refinery has been a source of public frustration in recent years, especially after government officials claimed billions had been spent on its rehabilitation. The sudden decision to shutter the facility just when it was reportedly operational has raised serious questions, which civil society actors are now demanding answers to.

“This is not just about infrastructure,” said one activist from the Workers’ Rights Alliance. “It’s about dignity. It’s about our children’s future. It’s about a nation reclaiming control of its destiny.”

The CSOs went on to call on youths, oil workers, and all patriotic citizens to rally behind the demand to revive the refinery and protect national assets from the grip of profiteers.

“Together, we will build a Nigeria where our oil wealth serves the people, not a privileged few,” the groups vowed.

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