The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday announced the restart of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), which was first approved for rehabilitation at the sum of $897 million in 2021.
President Bola Tinubu expressed his joy at the re-opening of the refinery, describing it as another remarkable achievement in 2024, which has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration.
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In 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the sum of $1.48 billion for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries, with the breakdown showing that $897 million was earmarked for the Warri refinery while $586 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of the Kaduna refinery.
Then Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, while addressing State House correspondents, after the FEC meeting chaired by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the contract, which was awarded to Messrs Saipem SPA and Saipem Contracting Limited, will be carried out in three phases.
The federal government stated that the rehabilitation exercise for the two refineries will run over a period of 77 months, with the first phase for the completion of the rehabilitation of the Warri facility set for 21 months; second phase 23 months, and third phase 33 months. These deadlines had been variously missed.
Nigeria has four national refineries, one each in Kaduna and Warri, and two in Port Harcourt. The 60,000bpd phase one of the Port Harcourt refinery began the refining of key fuels a few weeks ago.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had awarded the contract for complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries over three years ago.
An excited Tinubu, in a release issued by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the restart of the Warri refinery, expressed his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
Tinubu stated that with the 125,000bpd Warri refinery now operating at 60 per cent capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security was on course.
He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of NNPC for working hard to restore Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country.
Tinubu stated, “The restart of the Warri refinery today (yesterday) 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 the NNPC is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPC for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa.”
The president enjoined the national oil company to accelerate repair works on Kaduna refinery and the 150,000bpd second phase of the refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
According to him, the WRPC will, for now, focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.