Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Delta State is now operational, producing up to 125,000 barrels of petroleum products daily. This announcement was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, during a tour of the facility on Monday.
Progress at the Refinery
Before starting the tour, Kyari explained, “This plant is running. While it’s not fully complete, we’ve made significant progress. Many people doubted it could happen, but we’re showing it’s possible to restart and run a plant in Nigeria.”
He commended the NNPCL team and contractors for their commitment to bringing the refinery back to life. “This facility can now produce diesel, kerosene, and other high-quality products. These are needed in the country, and we can also export them to make money for Nigeria,” Kyari added.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to get Nigeria’s three refineries working again. Kyari highlighted that progress is being made across all facilities:
- Port Harcourt Refinery: 65,000 barrels per day already in production.
- Warri Refinery: Stage 1 operational, with other stages to follow.
- Kaduna Refinery: Preparations are ongoing.
“We won’t give specific dates, but we aim to surprise everyone,” Kyari assured.
Warri Refinery at a Glance
Located in Warri, the refinery was commissioned in 1978 and is managed by the NNPCL. It produces essential petrochemical products like polypropylene and carbon black. Originally built to serve southern and southwestern Nigeria, the facility has undergone significant upgrades over the years.
With this development, Nigeria is closer to reducing its dependence on imported petroleum products.
