Despite the criticism trailing the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Wednesday said the facility has been transformed into a modern one.

The GMDs described the ongoing rehabilitation as a major milestone, dismissing negative commentary as misguided.

The former executives, under the former NNPC GCEOs Forum, inspected the facility and lauded the NNPC management for what they termed “magic.”

Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who served as GMD from 1999 to 2003, noted that the scale and complexity of the project was not a routine Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) but a comprehensive overhaul.

“Some of those who criticize do not understand the extent of the work carried out. They mistake it for the usual Turnaround Maintenance. This is a complete rehabilitation—transforming a plant built in 1965 into a modern one in 2024. We appreciate the effort,” Gaius-Obaseki stated.

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Gaius-Obaseki stressed that pump prices are tied to global crude oil prices and urged Nigerians to exercise patience and understanding.

The inspection was attended by several former GMDs, including Chamberlain Oyibo, Funsho Kupolokun, and Andrew Yakubu, who collectively praised the success of the project.

The ex-leaders stressed the significance of the refinery’s overhaul in boosting Nigeria’s energy sector and reaffirmed their confidence in NNPC’s ongoing reforms.