President Bola Tinubu has expressed excitement over the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). This development comes weeks after the 60,000 Barrels per day Port Harcourt Old Refinery started producing refined petrol ¹.
According to a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the re-opening as another remarkable achievement in 2024 that has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration.
The Warri Refinery’s return to operation is a significant milestone, especially considering it had been inactive for several years. President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
The President praised the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL for their hard work in restoring Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country. He also commended the All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries.
With the 125,000 (bpd) Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, President Tinubu expressed confidence that his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course.
The President congratulated Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for their efforts in restoring Nigeria’s national pride and making the country a hub for crude oil refining in Africa.
President Tinubu also urged the NNPCL to accelerate repair work on the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 (bpd) second refinery in Port Harcourt. This move aims to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
The WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s energy sector.
The re-opening of the Warri Refinery marks a significant achievement for President Tinubu’s administration, demonstrating its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s oil refining capacity. As the country looks to consolidate its position as a major oil-producing nation, this development is a step in the right direction ².
