There was confusion in Rivers State on Wednesday as group of individuals blocked the entrance of the Port Harcourt Refinery Complex in Alesa-Elema.
In the trending video, posted on X by a social media influencer, Imran Muhammed, the individuals were seen dancing to music in a makeshift tent and slaughtering a cow.
When contacted by NewsNow, the spokesperson of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, did not pick calls.
He also failed to reply a text message which sought clarification on the incident.
However, it was reported that the group of individuals are insisting on stopping the functional operation of the refinery.
The development comes barely 24 hours after the Group Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence operations in August 2024 after several missed deadlines.
Earlier, Kyari had said the refinery would commence operation in March. Subsequently, the date was shifted to July 2024, but none came to pass.
The refinery had announced that it completed mechanical rehabilitation in December 2023.
The commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery had lingered despite the NNPCL officially signing a $1.5 billion contract with Tecnimont SPA for its rehabilitation.
Phases one and two of Port Harcourt Refinery have 60,000 barrels per day and 150,000bpd capacity.
Currently, a group of individuals is obstructing the entrance to the Port Harcourt refinery. They are celebrating with makeshift shelters and have slaughtered a cow for the occasion. They have also made a commitment that the refineries will not be functional. pic.twitter.com/FvpNZyBM0w
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) July 17, 2024