President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the successful reopening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The refinery’s restart comes weeks after NNPCL revived operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, processing 60,000 barrels per day. The Warri Refinery, now operating at 60% of its 125,000 barrels-per-day capacity, signals a renewed commitment to increasing local refining capacity and reducing dependency on imported petroleum products.
President Tinubu lauded the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL management for their efforts to restore Nigeria’s reputation as a leading oil producer. “The restart of the Warri Refinery is a testament to our administration’s promise to build a better future for Nigerians. It brings joy and strengthens hope for a greater tomorrow,” Tinubu stated.
He reaffirmed his administration’s goal to make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa. Tinubu also called on NNPCL to fast-track repairs on the Kaduna Refinery and the second refinery in Port Harcourt to bolster Nigeria’s position as a global energy leader.
The WRPC is set to prioritize the production of critical petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and various grades of Naphtha.
This achievement follows the groundwork laid by the previous administration, which initiated the rehabilitation of the country’s four state-owned refineries. Tinubu emphasized that his administration’s comprehensive energy strategy remains on track to ensure national energy security and efficiency.
The reopening of the Warri Refinery is seen as a key step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with significant implications for economic growth and job creation.
