The Warri Refinery, one of Nigeria’s key oil facilities, has restarted operations after years of inactivity due to technical challenges. This development was confirmed on Monday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) during a facility tour led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
Milestone for Nigeria’s Oil Industry
The refinery, which has a production capacity of 125,000 barrels per day (bpd), is currently operating at 60% capacity. This achievement comes just a month after the Port Harcourt Refinery also resumed operations.
President Bola Tinubu described the reopening as a significant milestone in his administration’s efforts to achieve energy efficiency and security.
“The restart of Warri Refinery brings joy and strengthens the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future,” said Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The president also praised the leadership of Mele Kyari for restoring the refinery and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reviving all four national refineries.
Progress Amid Challenges
Mr. Kyari noted that while the refinery is operational, work is ongoing to fully optimize its capacity.
“This plant is running. We have not completed 100%. We are stimulating the other parts of the plant as we progress. Currently, this plant is bringing products to the market,” Kyari stated.
The Warri Refinery rehabilitation project began in 2021 with a $1.5 billion contract approved by the Federal Executive Council. The Tinubu administration had previously assured that the refinery would be operational by the first quarter of 2024.
The refinery will focus on producing critical petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.
President Tinubu also urged NNPC Ltd to expedite the completion of repairs on the Kaduna Refinery and the second Port Harcourt Refinery, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a hub for crude oil refining in Africa.
This significant achievement marks a positive end to the year, showcasing Nigeria’s resolve to restore its refining capabilities and reduce dependency on fuel imports.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
