Okay, so NNPC officially says they’re shutting down the Port Harcourt refinery for regular maintenance and safety checks. That’s the official story, and yeah, they need to do this sometimes so nothing major breaks and to keep things running smoothly. But I’ve chatted with a few people working in the industry, and honestly, there’s a sense that maybe things are messier than they let on.

Some people think the maintenance has to do with hidden problems like equipment not working right or issues with getting it back to full production after years of trying to fix the place. Plus, marketers are pretty annoyed because they feel like there’s always something—like there’s always an excuse why the refinery isn’t running properly or producing enough. I guess with all the government involvement and the amount of money spent, folks are starting to question if it’s really just maintenance or a cover for deeper problems. I mean, if this was a private business, customers would’ve demanded better by now! Either way, whether it’s really just maintenance or something bigger, most people just want fuel to be available and affordable for once.