President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for successfully reviving the Port Harcourt Refinery and has called for the swift reactivation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
In a statement released in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President emphasized the importance of expanding domestic refining capacity.
“The President acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the rehabilitation of our refineries and thanks the African Export-Import Bank for financing this critical project,” the statement read.
Tinubu also praised NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for his leadership in overcoming operational challenges to achieve the milestone.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Rivers State, comprises two units: the Old Refinery (built in 1965 with a 60,000-barrel-per-day capacity) and the New Refinery (added in 1989 with a 150,000 bpd capacity). Together, they are among the largest refineries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, decades of neglect, poor maintenance, and corruption had left the facility operating below capacity, forcing Nigeria, a top crude oil producer, to rely heavily on imports of petroleum products.
The refinery’s rehabilitation, initiated under the Buhari administration with a $1.5 billion budget financed by the African Export-Import Bank, faced significant delays and technical setbacks. While mechanical works were declared complete earlier this year, operational challenges delayed the commissioning of key units.
NNPCL announced that the refinery would begin supplying 60,000 barrels per day of Premium Motor Spirit, diesel, and other products to the domestic market starting November 26, 2024.
President Tinubu expressed optimism about the impact of this achievement, stating that it would boost local production capacity and position Nigeria as a major energy hub. He stressed his administration’s commitment to eradicating the paradox of being a leading crude oil producer unable to meet domestic refining needs.
The President called on all stakeholders to demonstrate integrity and accountability in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, aligning with his Renewed Hope Agenda for economic growth, energy security, and export expansion.
“This is a critical step toward achieving energy sufficiency and enhancing Nigeria’s global standing in the energy sector,” Tinubu concluded.
