Tanker drivers clash over loading delay at Portharcourt refinery

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) are at odds over product overloading at the refinery. PHRC accuses the tanker drivers of slowing down the loading process, while PTD, represented by its umbrella group, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), denies this, claiming PHRC is not being truthful.

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have expressed readiness to lift products and are working on arrangements.

A visit to the refinery’s Area 5 around 3 p.m. on Sunday revealed that refining was underway. Sources indicated that the refinery continues to produce and has maintained its operational status as reported on Tuesday. At the loading bay, three trucks were being loaded, with seven more waiting, although only three of the 18 loading points were in use. Only tankers marked with the NNPC insignia were observed loading at the site.

READ ALSO: Northern Governors kick against tax reforms, heats up National Assembly

The Terminal Manager, Worlu Joel, said that while the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) part of the refinery is operational and truck loading has not stopped since Tuesday, only 11 of the 18 loading points were functional. He noted that these points were efficient and were capable of loading three trucks every 15 minutes, with each truck carrying a minimum of 45,000 litres. Joel emphasized that while they had enough products, tanker drivers were not coming to load and urged them to do so. He added that they had enough capacity to load 100 trucks in an hour if they were available.

NUPENG’s General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, countered Joel’s claims, arguing that the refinery management was not being truthful. He explained that tanker drivers cannot simply drive into the refinery to load; they must be informed by the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) about available products. Olawale stated that tanker drivers are always ready to load when products are available.

Clement Isong, CEO of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, said their members were prepared to work with PHRC to supply products. PETROAN’s Chairman, Billy Gillis-Harry, added that the association had applied to the refinery and was awaiting a response, emphasizing their readiness to do business. IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Shettima, welcomed the reopening of the refinery but said marketers would wait for the NNPC to announce the product prices before taking further steps.

In the host community, Alesa Eleme, Chief Security Officer Dibia Isaiah, expressed satisfaction that operations at the facility had resumed. He criticized those spreading false information about the refinery’s status, claiming it was likely an attempt to damage the management’s reputation. Isaiah pointed out that loading activities were ongoing and urged Nigerians to disregard negative rumors.