The Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta State has resumed operations, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to revamp its oil refineries.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, disclosed this during a tour of the facility on Monday.
“This plant is running, although not yet at 100 percent capacity. Many doubted the feasibility of this project, but today we’ve shown that real progress is possible in this country,” Kyari said.
He congratulated the NNPC team and contractors for their determination, adding that the restart of the refinery proves the possibility of reviving previously shutdown plants.
The Warri refinery has entered its first operational stage, referred to as Area 1, which can now produce high-quality petroleum products such as diesel (AGO), kerosene, and naphtha. Kyari noted that these products would not only meet local demand but also be exported, boosting the nation’s economy.
“This achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reactivate all three refineries. With Warri’s Area 1 operational and Port Harcourt’s 65,000 barrels-per-day refinery already running, we are making progress. Kaduna is also on track, and though we won’t give a specific timeline, we’ll surprise Nigerians with its restart soon,” Kyari said.
Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), also joined the facility tour, emphasizing the collaboration behind the success.
These developments represent a renewed commitment to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and achieving self-sufficiency in refining capacity.
