Business
Port Harcourt refinery petrol denial sparks PETROAN credibility crisis
PETROAN denies lifting petrol from Port Harcourt refinery, contradicting earlier claims, raising concerns over refinery transparency and fuel distribution.
PETROAN denies lifting petrol from Port Harcourt refinery, contradicting earlier claims, raising concerns over refinery transparency and fuel distribution
Port Harcourt refinery petrol denial by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria has sparked fresh questions about the transparency of fuel supply operations in the country.
Also read: Warri Refinery: NNPC and the Triumph over Scepticism
Four months after assuring Nigerians that its members had begun lifting Premium Motor Spirit from the NNPC-managed refinery, PETROAN now claims it never did.
The reversal came during a live television appearance by the association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry. He said that while members lifted diesel and kerosene from the Port Harcourt facility, petrol was never distributed commercially to them.
“For the products that we were lifting in NNPC, especially in Port Harcourt refinery, most of them were DPK and AGO,” he stated. “PMS was lifted by NNPC to NNPC trucks and stations… but we did not buy any commercial PMS from NNPC while the process of doing distribution from that depot was going on.”
His remarks directly contradicted PETROAN’s earlier statement issued in February by the association’s spokesman, Joseph Obele. At the time, Obele said members were lifting all major products—diesel, kerosene, and petrol—from the Port Harcourt refinery, which had recently resumed operations after a $1.5 billion overhaul.
The February statement read, “PETROAN members are now loading petroleum products, including DPK, AGO, and PMS,” adding that the revitalised refineries were contributing to price reductions and helping curb the spread of adulterated fuels.
The conflicting narratives have left many Nigerians questioning whether the Port Harcourt refinery was ever fully operational.
A report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in April noted that the refinery was running at 42 per cent capacity before it was shut down for maintenance in May.
Critics say PETROAN’s shifting position undermines public confidence, especially after months of speculation about the viability of the refineries.
Until recently, PETROAN was one of the most vocal supporters of the NNPC’s rehabilitation projects. Its apparent about-face has been linked by observers to changes in leadership at the state oil company, including the removal of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer.
The revelation has reignited calls for the Federal Government to privatise the nation’s three refineries, located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.
Supporters of privatisation argue that government-run facilities have consistently failed to meet national demand, even after repeated investments.
While Gillis-Harry reaffirmed PETROAN’s commitment to supporting the success of NNPC’s turnaround maintenance, the association’s credibility has been brought into question.
Also read: Northern Nigeria set for Oil drilling restart as NNPC Chief promises progress
Nigerians now demand clearer communication, not just from PETROAN, but also from the government and NNPC, to ensure accountability and public trust in the petroleum sector.
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Business
Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group Signs $300 million Deal With Accor to Develop Nigeria’s First National Hotel Platform
Kola Karim’s Shoreline Group has signed a letter of intent with Accor, a world leading hospitality group to establish Nigeria’s first national hotel platform.
The signing took place during the Africa Forward Summit 2026 hosted jointly by Kenya and France in Nairobi.
This ambitious partnership is set to make a significant contribution to the evolving Nigerian hospitality landscape with a substantial investment from Shoreline of $300 million, leveraging Accor’s renowned brand portfolio and expertise.
As gathered the strategic collaboration aims to develop a hotel network across Nigeria, encompassing 10 hotels across eight cities and over 1,200 rooms by 2030.
These properties will span various segments, from midscale to luxury, catering to diverse travelers and contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism growth. The project also includes the establishment of a dedicated hospitality training Academy to nurture local talent and create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.
Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, stated: “We are thrilled to partner with Shoreline Group to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This partnership is a testament to our belief in Nigeria’s dynamic future.
“By combining Shoreline’s deep understanding of the local market with Accor’s global expertise and diverse brand portfolio, we are poised to create an unparalleled hospitality offering that will set new benchmarks for quality and service.
“Crucially, the establishment of the Accor Academy is integral to this vision, enabling us to deliver immediate talent development for the Shoreline hotel portfolio, demonstrate our long-term commitment to Nigeria through dedicated training facilities, and solidify Accor’s position as the employer and educator of choice in West Africa.”
The Agbaoye of Ibadanland and Chairman of Shoreline Group, Karim, commenting on the development said: “This partnership is central to Shoreline’s strategy of building institutional-quality infrastructure platforms across Africa.
“We anticipate hospitality infrastructure becoming increasingly vital for capital movement and development, particularly in Nigeria where high-quality room supply is underserved. Our choice to partner with Accor highlights our focus on operational excellence and long-term value.
“The hospitality academy is crucial, alongside physical hotels, for developing local talent to sustain international standards. It will support our portfolio and enhance Nigeria’s hospitality workforce.
“This investment aligns with Shoreline’s broader focus on strategic assets in energy, infrastructure, and industrial development. We view hospitality as a natural extension: real infrastructure supporting economic activity, local capability, and national growth.”
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