Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, has cast doubts on claims about the operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery, alleging that recent petroleum products dispatched were not newly refined but old stock from storage tanks.

Speaking on Arise TV, Mgbere revealed that only six trucks were loaded on Tuesday, contrary to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s announcement of 200 daily truckloads. “What happened on Tuesday was just a mere show… only some units of the old refinery are functional,” he said, challenging the NNPCL’s statement that the refinery operates at 70% capacity.

Mgbere further accused NNPCL of yielding to pressure to present a false narrative, claiming, “The products released were from existing stock over three years old.”

The refinery resumed operations on Tuesday after years of inactivity, with promises of significant diesel, kerosene, and petrol production. However, Mgbere urged transparency, calling for Nigerians to scrutinize claims of full-scale functionality.