Tinubu: Warri Refinery Reopening A Key Achievement in 2024
President Bola Tinubu has expressed immense satisfaction over the reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), underscoring that it marks another significant achievement for his administration. The reopening of WRPC strengthens the public’s confidence in his government’s efforts to revitalise Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and ramp up local refining capacity. This milestone comes after the successful restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery in November 2024, which has a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd).
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu highlighted that WRPC had been dormant for years before the recent rehabilitation efforts. The revitalisation of the refinery is part of the broader plan by the government to enhance Nigeria’s refining capabilities, reduce dependency on imported refined petroleum products, and position Nigeria as a key player in the global energy sector.
The government’s commitment to this goal was previously affirmed by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which awarded contracts for the complete overhaul of all four state-owned refineries, including WRPC. Tinubu expressed his confidence that the restart of the Warri Refinery, now operating at 60% of its 125,000 bpd capacity, signals the successful implementation of his administration’s energy policy. He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of NNPCL for their dedication and hard work in bringing the refinery back online, noting that this is a key step toward restoring Nigeria’s pride as a major oil producer.
“The reopening of Warri Refinery today is an exciting moment for Nigerians and a testament to our government’s promise of a brighter future. This achievement, following the successful restart of Port Harcourt Refinery, shows our determination to ensure energy security and efficiency for the country,” Tinubu remarked.
In his address, Tinubu encouraged NNPCL to continue expediting work on the rehabilitation of the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, with an emphasis on strengthening Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider. The WRPC is expected to focus on producing and storing vital products such as Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and naphtha, which will play a crucial role in the nation’s energy landscape.
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Content Credit| Ajibola Emmanuel Adebayo
Picture credit | https://factsheet.ng/
