Tinubu hails Warri refinery reopening as key achievement

• Published On: 30 December 2024 at 16:52

President Bola Tinubu praised NNPC Limited for reopening the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in 2024, calling it a remarkable achievement that has boosted Nigerians' trust in his administration.

This was disclosed in a statement on by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled 'President Tinubu Commends NNPCL Over the Re-Opening of Warri Refinery,'

The president described the restart of the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri refinery as a "noteworthy way to end the year," emphasizing his administration's commitment to fully restoring the country's four refineries.

Tinubu congratulated the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL on its achievement.

"Nigerians are filled with joy and hope as the Warri Refinery restarts today. This milestone will boost Nigerians' confidence in the brighter future we promised. It's a remarkable way to end the year, following the previous success with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am pleased that NNPCL is carrying out my directive to restore all four refineries to full operational status.

""I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for their hard work in restoring our national pride and positioning Nigeria as an African crude oil refining hub," Tinubu said.

Only a month after the 60,000-barrel-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery began operations, the Warri Refinery has resumed production.

According to the statement, the rehabilitation and overhaul of Nigeria's four state-owned refineries was originally awarded during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

"President Tinubu expressed confidence that, with the 125,000 barrels-per-day Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration's comprehensive plan for energy efficiency and security is on track. He praised the NNPCL, led by Mele Kyari, for its tireless efforts to restore Nigeria's pride as a major oil producer.

With the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) back in operation after years of inactivity, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to increasing local refining capacity and establishing Nigeria as Africa's downstream industrial hub.

"The Warri Refinery resumed operations today, just weeks after the Port Harcourt Refinery, which produces 60,000 barrels per day, restarted in November. President Tinubu urged NNPCL to expedite the repair of the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, which has a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, in order to solidify Nigeria's global energy leadership.

"WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha," according to a release.