After a week of inactivity, the Port Harcourt Refining Company has resumed the trucking of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to the relief of many marketers who had been stranded since the refinery abruptly halted operations a fortnight ago.

The stoppage left many in the petroleum distribution chain in uncertainty, with no official reason provided for the disruption. A visit by our reporter to the Port Harcourt Refinery Depot last Thursday revealed a still scene—empty loading bays with no signs of activity from the previous week. The situation raised concerns over the future of operations at the facility.

However, on Monday, news emerged that petrol lifting had resumed, with 11 trucks observed loading PMS from the depot. Despite the early quiet, activity began picking up in the afternoon. By 1:00 pm, trucks started to enter the 18-arm loading bay, and by 2:00 pm, seven trucks had driven in, commencing the loading process. A fire service truck was stationed nearby as a precautionary measure against potential fire hazards during the operation.

The first truck began loading at exactly 1:18 pm, and by 4:30 pm, a total of 10 trucks had successfully lifted petrol, with more expected to follow before the day’s close. Meanwhile, several other trucks were waiting to load at the nearby Onyema gate.

Despite this positive development, some marketers at the depot expressed dissatisfaction with the state of operations. They lamented the frequent shutdowns without clear explanations and pointed out that of the 18 arms in the loading bay, only three were functional. They noted that these challenges hindered the full potential of the facility.

One marketer, Liti, voiced concerns, stating, “We are not happy about what is happening here. If operations were running fully, this place would be filled with trucks, and they could load up to 50 trucks before 6 pm. We urge the government to help and ensure the refinery operates efficiently.”

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Olufemi Soneye, had earlier issued a statement indicating that preparations for loading operations were underway, though the company had not provided further specifics on the reasons for the delay.

As operations continue to resume, stakeholders hope for more stability and clarity on the refinery’s performance, which remains vital to meeting the country’s petrol supply needs.