Tinubu commends NNPCL for reopening Warri refinery
By Kunle Sanni
President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a statement released on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Tinubu described the development as a significant milestone in 2024 that has reinforced Nigerians’ confidence in his administration.
The NNPCL recently announced the return of the Warri Refinery to operation, just weeks after restarting production at the Port Harcourt Refinery with an initial capacity of 60,000 barrels per day.
With WRPC resuming operations after years of inactivity, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to boosting local refining capacity and positioning Nigeria as a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
The rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries, including Warri and Port Harcourt, was initiated under the All Progressives Congress-led administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to the progress, President Tinubu noted that the Warri Refinery, now operating at 60% of its 125,000 barrels per day capacity, aligns with his administration’s comprehensive plan to achieve energy efficiency and security.
He commended the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL management for their dedication to restoring Nigeria’s status as a major oil-producing nation.
“The restart of the Warri Refinery today brings joy to me and all Nigerians. This achievement strengthens the hope and confidence of our people in the brighter future we have promised. It is a remarkable way to close the year, especially following the earlier success with the old Port Harcourt Refinery,” Tinubu stated.
“I commend Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for their relentless efforts to restore our national pride and transform Nigeria into a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” he added.
The president urged NNPCL to accelerate repairs on the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 barrels-per-day second refinery in Port Harcourt to further consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
The Warri Refinery will focus on producing and storing essential products such as Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and both heavy and light Naphtha, contributing significantly to meeting Nigeria’s energy demands.
