Fire guts section of Port Harcourt refinery on New Year’s Day

Activities at the Port Harcourt Refinery Company in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State were disrupted following a fire incident on Saturday morning.

Though details of the fire could not be ascertained, a source said the fire which lasted for less than an hour has been put out.

The source who preferred anonymity said, “Yes it is true that there was a fire outbreak this morning. An operation was going on when it happened. There was a minor damage because it was immediately contained. So, no loss of lives or property.”

The Port Harcourt refinery which is currently undergoing repairs gulping $2.5billion dollars is the first and largest refinery in the country built in 1965.

The refinery like the others is not producing, even as the ongoing repairs is expected to be completed in March 2023.

But there have been complaints of illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.

(The PUNCH)