* Mele Kyari
By Pathfinder Reporter
Monday December 30, 2024
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Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta State is now operational.
Kyari said the refinery is not fully completed but is producing 125,000 barrels per day.
The NNPC GCEO spoke to journalists during a tour of the facility on Monday, attended by key stakeholders.
“If you see the plant, you will see the reality yourself. This plant is running. We have not completed it 100 percent, but we are working on the other part of the plant as we progress, but currently, this plant is running,” Kyari said.
“You will see what is happening now and we are bringing products to the market.
“There are many people who don’t think this is real. People don’t believe real things can happen in our country.
“We believe that this is right for our country, and all of us have a stake, including the media, so this can become a greater place as it is already happening. We want you to see that everything is real.”
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sum of $1.48 billion on August 4, 2021, for the rehabilitation of both Warri and Kaduna refineries in three phases of 21, 23, and 33 months.
On November 26, President Bola Tinubu implored the NNPC to fast-track the reactivation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries while commending the petroleum company over the revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery.
On November 26, the NNPC said the Port Harcourt refinery had officially commenced crude oil processing.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has praised the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, describing it as a remarkable achievement in 2024 that has bolstered Nigerians’ confidence in his administration.
The president highlighted the restart of the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri refinery as a “noteworthy way to end the year,” reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring all four refineries in the country to full operational capacity.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘President Tinubu Commends NNPCL Over the Re-Opening of Warri Refinery,’ Tinubu applauded the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL for the achievements.
“The restart of the Warri Refinery today brings joy and hope to Nigerians. This milestone will further strengthen the confidence of Nigerians in the brighter future we promised. It is a remarkable way to end the year, following the earlier success with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am pleased that NNPCL is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to full working condition.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for their hard work in restoring our national pride and positioning Nigeria as a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” Tinubu said.
The Warri Refinery’s resumption comes just a month after operations began at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.
According to the statement, the rehabilitation and overhaul of the country’s four state-owned refineries were initially awarded under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“President Tinubu expressed confidence that, with the 125,000 barrels-per-day Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to achieve energy efficiency and security is on track. He commended the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL for working tirelessly to restore Nigeria’s pride as a major oil-producing nation.
“With the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) back in operation after years of inactivity, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to increase local refining capacity and establish Nigeria as a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
“Today, the Warri Refinery has resumed operations just weeks after the 60,000 barrels-per-day Port Harcourt Refinery restarted in November. President Tinubu urged NNPCL to accelerate the repair of the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 barrels-per-day second Port Harcourt Refinery to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy leader.
“WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha,” the statement read.
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