The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that the Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) is back in operation. This was revealed by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, during a facility tour on Monday in Warri, Delta State.
Speaking at the site, Kyari emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, "We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 percent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real."
The tour, which included key officials like the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, showcased the facility's production capabilities. The plant, located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji areas of Warri, is designed to produce 13,000 metric tons per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black, supplying markets in Nigeria's south and southwest regions.
Originally commissioned in 1978 and under the management of NNPCL, the WRPC's revival marks a significant step in Nigeria's quest for energy self-sufficiency. While Kyari acknowledged that the plant's operations are not yet at full capacity, he assured Nigerians that progress is underway.
This development is expected to boost local refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. Further updates on the refinery's performance are anticipated in the coming days.
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