President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) as a monumental achievement for the country.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the development as a “remarkable way to end 2024,” reinforcing Nigerians’ confidence in his administration’s drive to revitalise the oil and gas sector.
The Warri Refinery, which had been dormant for years, resumed operations with an initial capacity utilisation of 60%.
This follows the successful restart of a 60,000 barrels-per-day facility at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November, marking a major milestone in the government’s strategy to ramp up local refining capacity and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
President Tinubu commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari for its commitment to restoring the country’s refining capabilities.
The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised,” the president said.
The WRPC, now producing key petroleum products such as Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and naphtha, is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Nigeria’s downstream industrial activities.
This achievement is part of a larger vision laid out by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to overhaul Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.
The process began with contracts awarded during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari and has gained significant momentum under President Tinubu’s directive for full rehabilitation.
The President emphasised his administration’s unwavering commitment to achieving energy security and transforming Nigeria into a hub for crude oil refining in Africa.
He also urged the NNPCL to expedite the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, both of which are critical to consolidating Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
“This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” President Tinubu said.
©CDA News
