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The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has hailed the reopening of the Warri Refinery as an unexpected New Year’s gift from President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the Nigerian people.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the group expressed its satisfaction with the completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery. The statement was signed by Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, Chairman, and Mr. Dapo Okubanjo, Secretary.
TMSG described the reopening as a pleasant surprise, noting that it came shortly after the Port Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 bpd, resumed operations in November. The group acknowledged that many Nigerians were not expecting the Warri refinery to be operational so soon.
“This development is a continuation of efforts initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who in 2021 took the first step toward the complete rehabilitation of all four state-owned refineries,” TMSG stated.
The group pointed out that the refineries had been idle for 16 years, during which previous administrations spent millions of dollars on Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) without significant results.
“TMSG recalls that upon assuming office, President Tinubu vowed to complete his predecessor’s initiatives and ensure Nigeria becomes a net exporter of petroleum products,” the statement said. The group also addressed criticisms that Nigeria had spent $3 billion on refurbishing refineries that had not produced any petroleum products, stressing that the Warri refinery, while not fully operational, is now producing products like diesel, kerosene, and naphtha.
Describing the development as a significant step forward, TMSG urged Nigerians to see it as a New Year’s gift that set the stage for even greater achievements from President Tinubu.
The group also called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) to expedite repairs on the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 bpd Port Harcourt refinery to help solidify Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading petroleum product refiner.
TMSG expressed confidence that the Tinubu administration would take all necessary steps to ensure the refineries remain in good hands, fully realizing the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
(NAN)
