President Bola Tinubu has hailed the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as a significant milestone for Nigeria in 2024.
The move, he said, reinforces his administration’s commitment to revitalising the nation’s energy sector and restoring confidence in its leadership.
The Warri Refinery resumed operations after years of inactivity, just weeks following the successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) production line at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.
This marks another critical step in President Tinubu’s vision to enhance Nigeria’s local refining capacity and establish the country as a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
Under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.
President Tinubu is now driving this initiative forward, with the Warri Refinery operating at 60% capacity, translating to 125,000 bpd.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress, President Tinubu commended NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and his team for their efforts in restoring Nigeria’s status as a major oil-producing nation.
“The restart of the Warri Refinery today brings immense joy to Nigerians and me. It strengthens the hope for a brighter and better future that we have promised. This achievement caps an extraordinary year, following the earlier success at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team for their dedication to making Nigeria a refining hub in Africa. The restoration of our refineries is critical to achieving energy efficiency and security,” President Tinubu said.
He further urged NNPCL to expedite the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and the second 150,000 bpd refinery in Port Harcourt, solidifying Nigeria’s position as a global energy powerhouse.
The Warri Refinery will prioritise the production and storage of essential products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha, ensuring a stable supply of these critical resources.
