President Bola Tinubu has lauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, calling it a significant milestone in 2024 that reinforces public confidence in his administration.
The president described the resumption of operations at the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri refinery as “a remarkable way to close the year,” reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring all four state-owned refineries to full operational capacity.
In a statement released on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu Commends NNPCL Over Reopening of Warri Refinery,’ Tinubu praised NNPCL’s leadership under Mele Kyari for its dedication and achievements.
“The restart of the Warri Refinery today brings joy and hope to Nigerians,” Tinubu stated. “This milestone strengthens the confidence of Nigerians in the brighter future we promised. It is a significant end to the year, building on the earlier success of reviving the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I commend Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for their relentless efforts in restoring our national pride and advancing Nigeria’s position as a leader in crude oil refining in Africa.”
The Warri Refinery’s resumption follows closely on the heels of the November restart of the 60,000-barrel-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery.
The statement emphasized that the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s four refineries was initially launched under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
President Tinubu expressed optimism that the Warri Refinery, now operating at 60% capacity, represents a major step toward achieving his administration’s goal of energy efficiency and security.
“With the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) back online after years of inactivity, this administration is committed to increasing local refining capacity and positioning Nigeria as a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa,” the statement read.
Tinubu also urged NNPCL to expedite the repairs of the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000-barrel-per-day second Port Harcourt Refinery to further solidify Nigeria’s standing as a global energy leader.
The Warri Refinery will prioritize the production and storage of essential products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha, enhancing Nigeria’s self-reliance in refined petroleum products.
President Tinubu concluded by commending NNPCL’s efforts, expressing confidence in the comprehensive plan to bolster energy security and efficiency, and reaffirming his administration’s resolve to transform Nigeria’s oil and gas sector into a model for Africa.
