By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE WARRI Refinery and Petrochemical Company has resumed operations after years of inactivity, marking a significant stride in Nigeria’s effort to restore local refining capacity.
This development comes shortly after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) restarted operations at the old Port Harcourt Refinery in November, bringing renewed hope for energy security in the country.
Currently operating at 60% capacity, the Warri Refinery can process 125,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
It is expected to focus on producing critical petroleum products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Naphtha, boosting domestic supply and reducing dependence on imported fuel.
President Bola Tinubu, commending the restart, highlighted the refinery’s role in achieving his administration’s goal of making Nigeria a refining hub in Africa.
He credited the efforts of NNPCL’s Mele Kyari-led management for restoring the refinery to working condition, reiterating the importance of energy independence for economic growth.
The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier awarded contracts for the overhaul of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries.
With the Warri Refinery operational, the federal government now turns its focus to accelerating repairs at the Kaduna Refinery and the new 150,000 barrels-per-day refinery in Port Harcourt.
This development underscores NNPCL’s commitment to rehabilitating the country’s refining infrastructure.
The reopening of the Warri Refinery aligns with the government’s broader agenda of reviving industrial activities and consolidating Nigeria’s position as a major energy provider in Africa.
