There are strong indications that the planned December reopening of Port Harcourt refinery operations may not be achieved amid local content and other challenges.
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Findings reveal the refinery rehabilitation project has faced protests by host communities over non-compliance with the Local Content Act’s employment clauses.
Youths in Eleme have accused main contractor Tecnimont, a subsidiary of Italy’s Maire Tecnimont, of grossly violating the Act by not engaging indigenes. They allege that few jobs were given to locals while others sold slots from N200,000 to N2 million depending on position.
Three protests have occurred but contractors remain adamant. Community leaders say with tensions and project delays, December commissioning is unrealistic. They claim original builders like Nigeria Agip Oil Company’s parent Eni SPA marginalized locals in recruitment.
There are also technical issues like pipes not matching specifications which have slowed work. A former refinery manager has criticized the quality of rehabilitation which he says can’t meet standards. The billions spent on atrophied industrial imagination will yield subpar products, he argued.
With problems ranging from community marginalization to technical inadequacies, December restart hopes have dampened. Remedying violations and upgrading standards, not mere rehabilitation, are required for a durable turnaround. The Port Harcourt refinery prospects remain uncertain.
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