President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC).
He expressed profound joy at the development, describing it as another remarkable achievement in 2024 that has strengthened the hope of Nigerians in his administration.
The president gave the commendation in a State House Press Statement by his Special Adviser (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, on Monday.
The Warri Refinery returned to operation today, weeks after NNPCL restarted the 60,000 barrels per day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.
“With the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) going into operation after several years of inactivity, President Tinubu has once again expressed his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa,” it was stated in the press statement.
The All Progressives Congress (APC)-led President Muhammadu Buhari administration awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries.
President Tinubu noted with confidence that, with the 125,000/bpd Warri Refinery now operating at 60 per cent capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course.
Tinubu praised the Management of the NNPCL, led by Mallam Mele Kyari, for working hard to restore the glory and pride of Nigeria as a major oil-producing country.
“The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised.
“This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery.
“I am equally happy that NNPCL is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” President Tinubu stated in the press statement.
The president enjoined NNPCL to accelerate repair work on Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 (bpd) second refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
The Warri Refinery will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and heavy and light Naphtha.
